Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall moments ago confirmed the township’s first case of the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), via an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI).
Mayor Marshall said that he was informed of the positive case last evening, Thursday, May 21, 2020.
He said that the person in question was on assignment in Region 7, and would have travelled into the hinterland and reported to Bartica where they subsequently found out they had contracted the deadly disease.
In light of this, Mayor Marshall pleaded with citizens to adhere to the COVID-19 precautionary measures by the Ministry of Public Health.
Earlier this week, Regional Health Officer of Region 7, Dr. Edward Sagala cautioned persons to avoid or desist from travelling to all mining camps as they remain at a high risk.
He said that five persons who have tested positive for the disease from Aranka in the Cuyuni have since been transferred to Georgetown.
The Regional Health Officer added, “We continue to monitor the situation very closely and the citizenry will be updated as we proceed.”
He continued, “We wish to remind everyone that there is no place for complacency. Please continue to observe all precautionary measures that our Regional (COVID-19) Health Emergency Committee has been advertising. That is social distancing, washing of hands, wearing face masks and staying at home.”
The Regional Health Emergency Committee said it will endeavor to release information to the general public, in regard to the COVID-19 situation every 48 hours.
