Region 10 records 89 cases, two deaths so far in September

• Vaccination rate now 28 percent

The Upper Demerara- Berbice Region has recorded 89 cases as of Tuesday 22^nd September, 2021 and two deaths. The latest victim is a 74-year-old female. The region currently has 77 active cases and Regional Health Officer Dr. Gregory Harris, revealed that four of those persons are warded at the Regional COVID-19 Unit. He said the cases are distributed evenly across Region 10.

This steady increase is worrying to regional health officials; in August, 76 persons tested positive. “We have not finished September as yet and we have already surpassed that figure from August, which is not good, the numbers are not looking good, a few weeks back we had less than 20 active cases, now it has increased again,” Harris said. In August, the Region recorded six deaths.

Despite this steady increase, the vaccination rate in the region remains significantly low, with 28 percent of the population receiving their first dose and 12 percent receiving their second dose. The target population in the region to be vaccinated is 27000. The statistics also show that six percent of adolescents being inoculated with the pfizer vaccine. Parents desirous of having their children vaccinated against COVID-19 can access the vaccine at the One Mile Health Centre. Since the reopening of schools, at least one school, the Regma Primary School was closed temporarily because a student tested positive. That school has since reopened.

In his latest COVID-19 update, Dr. Harris pleaded with the residents of Region 10 to continue practicing COVID-19 protocols which are to exercise social distancing, hand washing and sanitizing and wearing a mask. Most importantly however, he is encouraging the population to get vaccinated. Vaccination sites include the Linden Hospital Complex, One Mile, Amelia’s Ward, Vivian Parris and Christianburg Health Centres as well as the mobile site at the Mackenzie/Wismar park.