By Prior Beharry
VILLAS in Tobago have the highest occupancy rates during the upcoming Easter holidays.
While Trinidad and Tobago borders are closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, travel between the two islands are still allowed.
The figures from the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited were revealed by the County Medical Officer of Health for Tobago Dr Tiffany Hoyte speaking at the virtual press conference of the Ministry of Health on Wednesday.
Dr Hoyte said expected occupancy in Tobago over the Easter period was 98% for villas, 76% for apartments and 67% for hotels.
She warned, “Covid-19 still remains an active threat to the health and the wellbeing of citizens of T&T. The public health measures and the Covid-19 protocols are there for the benefit of everyone to protect everyone.”
She called on people to wash hands frequently, social distance and wear masks.
Dr Hoyte said that there were 159 positive cases of Covid-19 case reported in Tobago thus far while 3,181 people have been tested for the coronavirus in Tobago.
Dr Hoyte said there were currently no active cases with the last Covid-19 positive test recorded on March 3.
She said there was a surge in Covid-19 cases in August 2020 which coincided with the second wave in T&T.
Dr Hoyte said the largest number of cases recorded in a day was 12 all from the outbreak at the Tobago prison.
She said periods with no recorded cases included October 28 to November 24 2020, and 30 days from January 28 until its most recent cases.
Dr Hoyte said there were 51% males who had contracted Covid-19 with the most cases recorded in the 30 to 39 age group and the youngest to confirmed being a five month baby and the oldest was 84 years.
She said 16% of the cases were under 18–years-old but no MIS-C (Multi-Inflammatory Syndrome in Children) has been recorded in the pediatric population in Tobago.
Dr Hoyte said women outnumbered men in contracting Covid-19 in all age groups expect in the 40 to 49 category and over 60 years.
She said out of the 159 cases in Tobago, 26% had comorbidities with the most common chronic diseases being hypertension followed by asthma with diabetes third.
Dr Hoyte said 30% of the cases of Covid-19 showed no symptoms.
She said two of the recent cases were diagnosed with the virus while they were being screened for elective surgery.
Dr Hoyte said the majority of Covid-19 cases on the island were recorded in the southwestern part where there was a high concentration of population.
