As the world struggles with the coronavirus and the infection and death rates climb, statistically Guyanese in Guyana appear to fare much better than those in New York City (NYC).
As of April 13, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States reported over 22,000 deaths.
- 6182 deaths in New York City -.
- 34 of those victims were identified as Guyanese, 0.55% of the victims in NYC.
With approximately 140,000 out of 8.4 million in NYC, Guyanese account for 1.667% of the city’s population. These numbers suggest that 0.0243% of the Guyanese population in NYC have fallen victim to COVID-19.
Compare this to Guyana with a population of 780,000 people. The Guyana Ministry of Public Health reports:
- 47 confirmed cases of COVID-19
- 6 deaths death rate per capita is approximately 0.0008%.
Translating these statistics illustrates that the Guyanese death rate (as a community) in NYC is 32% higher than in Guyana.
These numbers are important, not as a point for bragging or feeling superior, but as an important data point as the analysis of the spread of COVID-19 is studied in efforts to prevent future pandemics.
In the meantime, let’s continue to keep our country’s numbers low follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Public Health and, remember, as a personal precaution:
- Wash your hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface.
- Avoid touching your face
- Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow, dispose of the tissue
- Disinfect frequently use items and surfaces as much as possible
- Avoid gatherings of more than 10 people