NO NEED FOR PANIC – Dr ANTHONY; SAYS NO NEW COVID VARIANT DETECTED IN GUYANA.

Edward Anthony Persaud June 3, 2025 in Health, News Tagged #no-need-for-panic-dr-anthony-says-no-new-covid-variant-detected-in-guyana - 3 Minutes

INews Guyana © — ||| Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, has denied the emergence of any new COVID-19 Variant in Guyana, urging the Public to remain calm, and avoid spreading Misinformation.
This Response follows a Social Media Post alleging a confirmed COVID-19 Case at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH).
However, the Health Minister explained that while a new COVID-19 Variant known as NB.1.8.1 has been identified in Parts of Asia, and the United States, it has not been detected in Guyana. However, in keeping with Global Trends, and out of an abundance of caution, Medical Institutions in Guyana have been advised to remain vigilant, especially with Patients presenting Flu-like Symptoms.
“We’ve told our Hospitals to keep testing, especially when Patients have Flu Symptoms, to catch anything early,” he said.
“So, when People come in, if they test Positive for COVID, then we would then do Analysis for Variants,but as it is, since this Year, we have been getting maybe One, Two [COVID] Xases here, and there.”
Further, the Minister acknowledged that Guyana is currently experiencing it’s seasonal rise in Cold, and Flu Xases, which is typical around May, and June Period. Common viral infections such as Influenza, and other respiratory Viruses are being monitored across the Country.
“We’ve seen some Influenza, and respiratory Virus Cases. These aren’t typically severe, and most People recover in a few Days,” Dr Anthony explained.
“So, there are many different, there are other viral Infections that circulate around this time. Among the things that we see is Influenza, and we have 10 Sites where we are monitoring for the Influenza Virus. So, that’s One, and we have been seeing Cases of Influenza.”
While COVID-19 Vaccinations have slowed due to decreased demand, Dr Anthony confirmed that testing continues. Vaccination Campaigns could resume if there’s a rise in hospitalisations, or if a new Strain enters the Country.
“We stopped bringing in the latest Vaccines like Pfizer for new Variants because we haven’t needed them,but if things change, we’ll adapt… Because depending on the Strains, they sometimes make like the Pfizer Vaccine to coincide with the newer Strains. So, we don’t have that, and we didn’t bring those in because we’re not seeing the Cases,but if it is that we find this particular Variant that is now circulating, and if we’re seeing an increase in hospitalisation, well then, maybe we’ll do that, but at this point, there’s no need for any panic,” he assured.
Guyana recorded it’s First COVID-19 Case in March 2020, as of March 2023, the Country had recorded a Rotal of 73,114 COVID Cases with over 1000 deaths.
Symptoms of the Coronavirus include Fever, Cough, Tiredness, Diarrhoea, Pains, Sore Throat, and loss of Taste or Smell. The more serious Symptoms are difficulty breathing, or shortness of Breath, Chest Pain, and loss of Speech or Movement.