Robust education campaign in Region Five results in low Covid cases

-Regional Chairman

Region Five Regional Chairman Mr. Vickchand Ramphal has said since the first Covid case was recorded in Guyana in March 2020, his region embarked on a robust education campaign which has resulted in its low positive cases.

The Region quickly established a task force comprising the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the public knew how to protect themselves, he told DPI in an interview on Tuesday.

“We have had a number of meetings with the police, Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Guyana Sugar Corporation, Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) among others, to carry out a number of programmes to sensitise the public,” Mr. Ramphal said.

Since the reopening of the country, the task force makes daily checks at restaurants and bars to ensure they are observing the gazetted measures outlined by the Ministry of Health. This initiative is enforced by the Region’s police, who are responsible for maintaining the curfew and other guidelines.

The Regional Chairman lauded the officers’ commitment to the administration’s goal of preventing transmission of the disease.

To date, Region Five has recorded the lowest number of Covid positive cases with 102 as of today.

Mr. Ramphal also said the Region has conducted several outreaches at identified hotspots such as the Rose Hall and Bath markets, and Bush Lot and Mahaicony communities.

“We have also had several mask distribution drives across this region amounting to thousands of masks being distributed to the elderly, youth and vulnerable groups … we even provide PPE to the citizens,” Mr. Ramphal added.

Recently, the Region experienced a spike in COVID-19 cases in Moraikobai. To combat this, the Region implemented its educational programme and this, coupled with the Health Ministry’s quick response team, saw a reduction in cases.

“We also had the police presence in the community. As for now, the situation remains stable and so I want to encourage everyone to take the necessary precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Chairman Ramphal said.

The Region also conducted mass testing at the Bath Market Square, the Rose Hall Market and other areas in December.