BREAKING – REO John tests positive for COVID

REGIONAL Executive Officer (REO) of Upper Demerara -Berbice (Region Ten) Mr. Dwight
John has tested positive for the deadly COVID -19 disease. John contracted the disease just when
his deputy, Ms. Dollette Powers was medically cleared after completing quarantine for the
rampaging global pandemic.
So far, 167 Guyanese died from the contagious ailment first detected here in March 2020 when
an overseas-based national lost her life as a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital
Corporation (GPHC).
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said his Ministry is prepared for a spike in cases following
the popular Christmas celebrations here.
John’s diagnoses shocked very few residents in the bauxite-mining town of Linden. The REO
frequently violated the country’s curfew guidelines set out by the Health Ministry either hosting
or attending late-night parties.
WWW.aroundtheregions.com was reliably informed that John is now under compulsory
quarantine.
A senior official connected to Region Ten said that concerns were raised after the REO began
exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID 19. Tests confirmed his condition.
“The REO Dwight John like Ms. Powers have been tested positive for COVID. I am happy to
stress that Ms. Powers is back out to work as she is doing very well. However, REO John isn’t
doing that well as he has COVID and is expected to take all required precautions. The good thing
is that the RDC has someone (Ms. Powers) to act in the capacity of REO,” the official said.
The official said sanitising of RDC properties should be more frequent and thorough because
too many employees have contracted the deadly ailment.

“This seems to be the only RDC in Guyana that has so many employees tested positive for
COVID 19 and this certainly is creating fear and understandable concerns because one is not
sure who will next contract it next” the anxious employee said.
The employee said, “while it's no secret that the public in Region Ten has not been taking this
issue seriously, I think that the authorities can do more to bring about a better record. We have
had several employees who tested positive and it doesn’t seem to be coming to an end and I am
worried as to if and when I may contract this disease because we are seeing that no one is
secured.”
Regional Health Officer, Dr Gregory Harris has been publicly criticised for his alleged
inefficiency and ineffectiveness and was blamed for the alarming spike of COVID in the
mineral-rich but impoverished Region.
“People in the Region refer to him as the ‘party animal’ because he is always seen at some party
or holding a party. That is what he does, hold parties,” an irate community member had told this
publication in an earlier interview.
Neither RHO Harris or the infected REO was available for comment, but a usually reliable
medical source confirmed that with REO John’s positive test there may be some changes to
the protocols being adopted at the RDC as it relates to employees and visitors.