On Wednesday, the mining town of Bartica saw its first resident testing positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). A total of ten tests samples were then taken from contacts of this case and sent to Georgetown.
Results indicate that four of them who are said to be primary family contacts of the individual are also positive, including a three-year-old child. Five samples were negative and the result for one other is being awaited.
All of the contacts are from Bartica and are now in institutional isolation for fourteen days, as is mandated by the COVID-19 guidelines, then they will be retested.
Another sixteen individuals including healthcare workers have also been tested are also awaiting their results.
“What is sad and of increasing concern is the fact that Barticians are continuously ignoring the advisories that the Health Department, time and time again, has been preaching,” Dr. Edward Sagala, Regional Health Officer (RHO) of Region Seven, emphasised in a press statement.
He further noted that face masks are not worn, social distancing precautions are ignored and small children are seen wandering on the roadways unsupervised, despite constant reminders of the deadly disease.
The RHO again urged all residents of Bartica and Region Seven by extension to observe the curfew, stay at home and show special care and attention to small children to keep them out of harm’s way.