GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – Guyana health authorities are urging residents to get vaccinated as the country experiences an increase in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, leading to several people being hospitalised.

“In November this year, we already have three deaths and we have 107 cases so far. So there seems to be an upward tick in terms of cases and in terms of people requiring hospitalisation,” Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony confirmed.

He said October saw no recorded COVID-19 death and only 87 overall cases and that Guyana’s Ministry of Health has since heightened its systems to prepare for this increase and the possibility of more hospitalisations.

“We have put all our doctors and medical personnel again on alert. The systems at Ocean View Hospital are fully deployed. So, really, sick patients would go there. All the units that we have across the country at different regional hospitals are available if people get really sick,” he added.

The health authorities said despite the increase in cases, people are hardly taking their booster shots. They added that so far, only 76,131 people received their first booster dose and only 4,276 have taken a second booster dose. Those eligible for the third and fourth booster doses are also being urged to take them.

Anthony said he is encouraging people to keep themselves immunised by taking a booster shot every four to six months, especially those who have underlying health conditions and may be more vulnerable.

“We haven’t seen a lot of people coming forward to be vaccinated. So, let’s take over the last 24 hours, we have had 63 vaccines being administered and that’s with all the vaccination centres that we have at this point in time,” Dr Anthony said.

“We are really encouraging people if you have had your vaccines more than six months ago, or four months ago, it is time for you to come back and get either your booster shots or to continue your vaccination,” the health minister said.

The authorities said arrangements have been made to send samples from the three deaths for genetic sequencing to the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).

Since the first case of the pandemic was recorded in the country two years ago, Guyana has reported 1,284 deaths and 71,560 infections