BREAKING NEWS -Apoteri locked down following COVID-19 outbreak

AN OUTBREAK OF THE DEADLY CORONA VIRUS IN UPPER TAKUTU/UPPER
ESSEQUIBO (Region Nine) has forced health authorities to shut down two villages and
summon a three-hour emergency meeting to come up with solutions to halt its spread.
Regional Vice Chairman Bertie Xavier Thursday confirmed 30 new Apoteri residents tested
positive for the deadly virus first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019, shooting the total number of
cases there up to 125.
This means more than 30 percent of the 400-member interior village is infected with oft-lethal
COVID-19 virus.
Health authorities in Region Nine tested 50 villagers in the North Rupununi community lately for
the infection, and found the 30 new positive cases. They now fear the figure will climb even
higher when test results for others are made known.
Officials also worry that with Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo contiguous to Brazil, the new and
more-deadly strains detected there recently can easily be imported into the country and spread
rapidly among local residents by the Portuguese-speaking visitors who enjoy easy access into
Guyana through the country’s vast, unprotected and porous borders.
The Joint Service and Regional Task Force were part of Wednesday’s emergency meeting to
handle the worsening Region Nine crisis, Xavier said. He said the authorities were already
struggling to manage the 95 active cases prior to the new upsurge.
So far, Katoonrid with 19 cases and Karadanawau, 20 cases have been the hardest-hit
communities.
“The revelation of 30 persons being tested positive yesterday for CORONA means that we have
had an upsurge in the numbers and this is one of our riverain communities that has been affected

badly. A letter was dispatched to the RC’s office and while it’s very difficult for the Region at
this time, we know that something has to be done because those residents cannot go anywhere
and this is very important in ensuring that they get the help that they need to battle the lockdown
through,” Xavier told www.aroundtheregions.com
With Apoteri now on the mandatory 14-day lockdown, its Toshao, Ozaisis James, has written
Regional Chairman Mr. Brian Allicock, requesting hampers for resident although the Region is
facing some economic hardships.
Notwithstanding this, the Region Nine healthcare system has been magnanimous, assuming
responsibilities for neighbouring Fairview residents also infected with the CORONA VIRUS. So
far nine residents have tested positive and one has died.
While Fairview is located in Potaro/Siparuni (Region Eight) administratively, it is more
convenient for those residents to access the healthcare system in Region Nine.
“We are very fearful that the cases will continue to increase, as of now the health team is out in
the field doing testing. So, for now, we cannot say what the final numbers will be. But from what
we are seeing it's likely that there are more positive cases out there. We had 95 active cases
before Apoteri but with the new numbers it has significantly increase,” he said.
Meanwhile Xavier disclosed that Katoonrid and Karadannwau, other Region Nine communities,
will also be lockdown shortly to help combat the spread of the virus.
“Yes, all these communities will be going on lockdown as…these are awaiting advice on
what they should do,” VC Xavier said.