Increased COVID-19 measures in place in Bartica

– monitoring ongoing in Regions Six and Ten

The Ministry of Health has increased its monitoring for COVID-19 in Bartica, Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven) as it serves as the gateway to the hinterland mining operations and will see an influx of miners travelling through to get home for the holidays.

Minister Hon. Dr Frank Anthony said screenings and testing have also intensified there in order to reduce transmission of the disease.

“In Region Seven, Bartica, we still have a relatively high number of cases. We have about 70 cases in right now and we have been monitoring them.  Once we have aggressive measures in place, isolation, restriction of movements and a number of other things, we are able to reduce those cases.”

A permanent screening point, manned by members of Operation COVI-CURB, has been set up at Number 83 Miles Junction, Potaro/Bartica Road. The team was deployed to the Region to engage with residents and to educate them about the preventative measures in place to curb the spread of the disease.

“In Region Seven, they would have met the residents there … to get a better sense of what is happening. As you know, we have trained people in all the regions and with this last deployment that we had, we were able to use some of the rapid kits and they have worked well, but people have to remain vigilant, especially during this season.”

Dr. Anthony also indicated that the Ministry will continue to monitor other areas of interest. He said a ‘broad-based’ exercise conducted by Operation COVI-CURB in Baramita, Barima-Waini (Region One) over the weekend led to several positive diagnoses.

The COVID-19 check point at Number 83 Miles Junction, Potaro/Bartica Road

Members of the joint services at the COVID-19 check point

In addition to testing, the team conducted sanitisation and education exercises. Monitoring is also ongoing in New Amsterdam, East Berce-Corentyne (Region Six) and in several communities in Upper Demerara-Berbcie (Region Ten).