COVID-19: Death number 4 in Guyana; gov’t denies President tests positive

Guyana’s Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence has confirmed that the fatalities resulting from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection now stand at 4.

Guyana has reported 24 COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, the government has rubbished a post on social media that President David Granger has tested positive for COVID-19.

“President David Granger is not afflicted with the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and is enjoying good health,” stated the Ministry of the Presidency, adding that Granger continues to work daily to lead the nation through this difficult time.

The Ministry condemned the post as “distasteful”, and urged people to refrain from causing public panic and to utilize their public voices and platforms responsibly.

Late last week, Granger participated in a virtual conference hosted by the National Coronavirus Task Force (NCTF) to discuss a national response to the virus.

The meeting of ministers agreed to several stringent measures to be implemented shortly to contain the COVID-19 spread.

On Thursday, Granger announced that in order to strengthen containment measures, the government would close public gathering at places of entertainment, including bars, clubs, gymnasiums, night clubs, restaurants and swimming pools, between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. The curfew went into effect at midnight on April 3.