AZPNews.com makes it easy for you to get all the Covid-19 related stories at your fingertips. Below are summaries of the main Covid-19 stories over the past 24 hours with links to view articles in detail:
Tobago Records 10 New Cases
Ten new Covid-19 cases have been reported in Tobago in the last 24 hours.
A release from the Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development, Tobago House of Assembly (THA) on Saturday stated that there were now 98 active cases on the island.
Record # of Covid-19 Cases Reported Friday – 708
The Ministry of Health has reported the highest number of positive Covid-19 cases for one day on Friday – 708.
The positive samples were taken during the period May 14 to May 20.
It also revealed seven more deaths due to the coronavirus.
3 Fined $10,000 Each for Curfew Breach
Three men appeared virtually before a Mayaro Magistrate on Thursday, charged with breach of curfew.
They all pleaded guilty to the charges and were fined $10,000 each or in default serve three months in jail.
Tobago Takes Liking to Sinopharm
Tobago starts administering the Sinopharm vaccine to its population as the island reaches its highest number of Covid-19 positive cases so far.
And the population seems to be more interested in obtaining this vaccine than the previously administered AstraZeneca one.
Finance Minister Explains Different Covid Grants
There are two main grants by the Government which provide relief to citizens for hardships due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
At a presser on Friday Minister of Finance Colm Imbert explained the differences.
86K Salary Relief Grants Paid Since 2020
More than 86,000 Salary Relief Grants were distributed after applications for Covid-19 relief last year.
This according to Minister of Finance Colm Imbert who said of the 86,196 SRCs that were distributed so far 7,000 applicants were yet to be paid.
Davidson-Celestine: I’m Well
Secretary of the Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development in Tobago Tracy Davidson-Celestine is confirming that she has not been in contact with any Covid-19 positive patients.
At a press briefing organised by the Division on Friday, Davidson-Celestine was asked if rumours that her close relatives have tested positive for the virus and also that they were receiving preferential care were true.
She did not state whether she had relatives at Covid designated facilities.
Call to Help Teachers with Covid Anxiety
AS important as the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) may be for primary school pupils, the health of all who are involved is more important.
The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) stated in an advisory to education professionals on Thursday that it was very concerned with both the physical and mental health of both educators and pupils at this time.
The head of TTUTA said not enough support was provided by the Ministry of Education to alleviate Covid anxiety and fear for both educators and those being educated and added with that was a lack of proper communication with the union.
Emergency Only at Scarborough General
The only general hospital in Tobago, the Scarborough General Hospital must be protected from further spread of Covid-19 and has deferred some of its services temporarily.
The Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) in a press release issued on Friday said that the adjustments were also in response to national adjustments brought on by the mandatory conditions of the State of Emergency.
Tough Week for Tobago
Covid-19 Response Team Member in the County Medical Office of Health Dr Anthony Thompson says the past week has been difficult for Tobago.
The age groups contracting the virus were 30 to 39 and 40 to 49 which represented the majority people in the working population, he said.
More Beds for Tobago to Fight Coronavirus
Tobago will add 40 beds to accommodate Covid-19 patients.
This according to Secretary of Health, Wellness and Family Development in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Tracy Davidson-Celestine at a virtual media conference on Friday.
Active covid-19 cases on the island was 99 with 357 positive cases recorded overall.
Point Fortin Now has Covid-19 Hospital
From Friday, the new Point Fortin Hospital will be officially transformed into a Covid-19 management facility, providing emergency care to Covid-19 patients only.
The South-West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) on Friday stated in a press release that all other persons who require emergency services are requested to visit the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) or Siparia District Health Facility (SDHF) Emergency Departments.
14 Deaths on Wednesday
TRINIDAD and Tobago records 14 more deaths due to Covid-19 on Wednesday.
It also reported 519 new cases of the coronavirus taken from samples May 14 to 18.
On Tuesday it recorded a record 23 deaths in one day.
Healthcare System Near Compromise
THE traditional healthcare at hospitals in T&T is very close to being compromised.
This as hospitals in the parallel healthcare system are almost full to capacity with Covid-19 patients.
Read what Principal Medical Officer, Institutions, Dr Maryam Abdool-Richards said at Wednesday’s presser.
16 Die at Home
It was also revealed at the virtual presser of the Ministry of Health on Wednesday that since the start of the pandemic 16 people died because of it at home.
Epidemiologist Dr Avery Hinds said out of the 148 deaths as of Tuesday (May 18) due to Covid-19, seven of those have died at home during this month alone. That seven is included in the overall 16 deaths.
Covid-19 Like 1918 Spanish Flu
Dr Hinds said younger people are being infected with Covid-19 without “existing risk factors” in a similar manner with the Spanish Flu of 1918.
The epidemiologist said there was “a little higher” number of people under 60 years who were being infected with the coronavirus in T&T.
He said from a clinical perspective, the reasons vary.
Dr Hinds said, “Some people had comorbidities, some people did not, some people would have had comorbidities of which they were not aware.
One Die After AZ First Vaccine
One person dies from Covid-19 after receiving the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Trinidad and Tobago.
Dr Hinds said there was a report of someone who had the first jab and tested positive shortly after and passed away.
He said, “Even after full vaccination, the risk isn’t reduced 100% of being infected but the risk is reduced into the high 70s to 80s (in terms of percentage) of having severe illness.”
3-Jab Sinopharm, Pfizer… Maybe
Sinopharm and Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines may require a third jab.
This according to Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh responding to a question from AZPNews.com about reports that a person may require a third dose of the Sinopharm vaccine after a low immune response.
2 Covid-19 Deaths in Tobago
TWO more people have died due to Covid-19 in Tobago.
A release from the Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development, Tobago House of Assembly (THA) on Wednesday stated that the deceased were two women, 62 and 71 years old, both with comorbidities.
There were now 100 active cases on the island.
Pastor Charged for Covid-19 Breach
A 48-YEAR-OLD pastor, who led his followers to Harris Promenade, San Fernando last Sunday, is charged with breaching the Public Health Regulations.
Police reported on Wednesday that Lincoln Doughty, of Iere Village, Princes Town, was arrested on Tuesday night and later charged by Sgt Stoude, of the San Fernando Police Station.
Appointment-Only for Sinopharm Vaccines from Friday
The North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) is getting ready to vaccine more members of the population with the recently arrived Covid-19 Sinopharm vaccines.
And the authority has injected additional measures to deal with the bottlenecking of Covid-19 cases especially at the emergency sections.
This phase of vaccinations begins on Friday through an appointment-only system according to the Minster of Health Terrence Deyalsingh.
New Help Hotlines in Tobago
Two hotlines have been set up in Tobago to provide additional support to its population in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Family Help Hotline was set up by the Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).
The Family Help Hotline number is 683-8347.
The Counselling Support hotline number is 683-8341.
