Health Minister urges mask wearing, vaccination as 42 new COVID-19 cases recorded

42 new COVID-19 cases have been recorded within the last 24-hours, resulting in Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, once again urging persons not to become complacent, as the pandemic is not yet over in Guyana. The minister said during Tuesday’s COVID-19 update, that persons are encouraged to continue wearing their masks in crowded areas, and to get vaccinated.

Dr. Anthony disclosed that there are currently 184 active cases across the country. “This is a significant increase, and we have to be mindful of that and one of the things I want to urge people is to start taking precautions,” Dr. Anthony said. He added, “I think over the last couple of weeks people have discarded a lot of the public health measures that we have been telling them to use especially wearing masks when you’re in an indoor environment…and if we continue to do so there are chances that you can get infected.” 

The health minister pointed out that three new cases were recorded in Region Three, 25 in Region Four, 13 in Region Six and one new case in Region Seven. Minister Anthony is also appealing to persons eligible for booster doses to get the jab, especially those with comorbidities. He disclosed that being vaccinated against COVID-19 will boost one’s immunity, prevent serious illnesses and even death. “In addition to that, our vaccination boosters are relatively low, so I would really want to urge people to come and get their booster doses because that is very important,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, speaking about Guyana’s travel guidelines, Minister Anthony stressed that persons entering the country are still required to produce a negative COVID-19 test and proof of full vaccination. “We haven’t changed the travel guidelines, but persons coming into Guyana you’re required to produce a negative test that’s either with PCR or antigen…in addition to that, you must show proof of vaccination,” the minister said.

The health minister said that as of Tuesday, 85.9 percent of the adult population took the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 66.3 percent is now fully vaccinated.