By Sue-Ann Wayow
THERE are now three people in Trinidad and Tobago who have contracted the Covid-19 Omicron variant of concern.
This was announced by Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh who said all cases were imported and vaccinated.
The first case which was announced on Monday also by Deyalsingh is currently under investigation.
Speaking at the press conference hosted by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on Saturday, Deyalsingh gave details of the other two cases.
He reminded the public of when a Caribbean Airlines flight had to be deviated to Puerto Rico on Monday. The added stay in that country was the reason the PCR test of 72 hours before travel expired for 16 passengers.
Upon arrival in Trinidad and Tobago, the 16 were quarantined and retested and one person tested positive for the variant and is in isolation.
Deyalsingh said the third case was an individual who travelled from Miami on December 8. He began showing symptoms of the virus on December 10.
He said, “That person behaved in a very responsible manner.”
The health minister added that there was one additional person in the third Omicron’s case household and both persons were quarantined at home.
Deyalsingh said the Omicron virus was “spreading at lightning pace.”
He said, “It is only a matter of time we get Omicron out of travel.”
He again pleaded to get vaccinated against the virus because even though vaccinations may not prevent contraction, they can reduce adverse effects on individuals.
This was echoed by Dr Rowley who stated that the country was in a dismal state with the increasing deaths and the arrival of the Omicron virus.
“There is no other response that could be better than to be vaccinated,” Dr Rowley stated.
He again said shutting down the economy was a last resort.
“What we have to do is to take steps to have more people vaccinated,” Dr Rowley said.
