Guyana, Haiti, Belize record deaths from COVID-19

Three CARICOM countries, including Guyana, have recorded deaths associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, according to health authorities.

Guyana’s death toll reached 76 after the country recorded two more deaths late Saturday.

The Ministry of Health in a statement noted that the latest fatalities included a 36 -year-old male from East Berbice- Corentyne (Region 6) who died while receiving care at a medical facility. The other victim of the virus was a 45-year-old man from Region 4.

“Samples were collected from both at the time of admission and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. The Ministry of Health expresses sincerest condolences to the families of these persons and will make every effort to provide all the necessary support during this difficult time to render any assistance needed.

Guyana has recorded 16 new COVID-19 cases taking the overall known cases in the country to 2,725,

The health authorities said 12 persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 232 are in institutional isolation and 872 are in home isolation. They said 1,535 persons have recovered thus far while 82 persons are in institutional quarantine.

In Haiti, where two new deaths were recorded on Saturday, the Ministry of Public Health said 38 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 48 hours have pushed the total to 8,684 cases since the first case was detected on March 19.

The authorities said that the two deaths were reported in the Center department, putting the death toll at 227

Haiti has 1,906 active cases and is investigating 27,568.

Belizean health officials said that the death of a 62-year-old woman from Orange Walk, has brought the death toll to 14 and a case fatality rate to 1.3 per cent.

They said that 17 new cases were reported over the past 24 hours with Orange Walk, having the most at 13.

“Our active cases of 636 are now at 34.8 per cent of the total identified cases.”

Suriname said the number of people infected with the virus now stands at 4,831 including 109 active cases. In the past 24 hours, 14 people tested positive after 145 people were tested.

“In the past 24 hours, the number of cured people shot up to 4,620 after 24 civilians were declared corona-free. The death rate remained stationary at 102. There are 44 people with COVID-19 in hospitals, six in the Intensive Care Units. Furthermore, there are 51 positives in isolation and 72 non-positives in quarantine.”

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said that the number of new cases fell sharply between September 14-21.

Public health officials say with the schools due to reopen on October 1 and public transport resumed this week, there is a greater movement of working people within society.

“So it is necessary to be careful and observe the measures and protocols,” the Ministry said.

Meanwhile, the measures, including weekend lockdowns, announced by President Chandrikapersad Santokhi on September 13 will end on Sunday. The head of state is expected to address the population on Sunday.

In Trinidad and Tobago, 27 new positive cases were recorded, according to the latest statement issued by the Ministry of Health.

It said that the total of positive cases now stands at 4, 312 with 2,057 active cases. The death toll is 70.