Another child has been admitted to the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Liliendaal facility, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony has disclosed. There is now a total of two children in that unit, with two more in ‘regular’ (transition) wards.
The ICU is reserved for severely ill patients, and those who require breathing assistance.
Before the Minister’s update today, two children were discharged following their recovery.
Two weeks ago, the minister registered his concerns regarding the hospitalization of children; calling it a ‘disturbing trend’. The ministry later revealed that all of the children had comorbidities.
He urged parents, who have children suffering from other illnesses like asthma, to be extra vigilant, noting that these underlying diseases contribute to a severe form of COVID-19.
The three major vaccines being distributed in the country target persons 18 years and older, but the Minister noted that the Pfizer vaccine caters to persons older than 12. Guyana does not have access to that brand, hence, he is urging parents to “protect children more than the regular”.
So far, 239,453 (49.2% of the adult population) have received their first dose, with 120,068 (24.7%) receiving the second jab.
