Forced to endure cramped quarters, shortages in hygiene products and the repeated disruption of their water supply, some patients housed at the government-run COVID-19 isolation unit at Diamond fear that the poor conditions are inhibiting their speedy recovery.

“I initially chose to refrain from a public airing of the conditions here.

As I have explained to others, public awareness of the situation here may deter others from testing if they fear coming and experiencing these conditions and this would have major implications for efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19 in Guyana,” a patient writes in a letter published in today’s Sunday Stabroek.

In the letter, the patient details the many trials they have had to endure since being admitted to the facility after testing positive for COVID-19.