THE Ministry of Health is confirming a sixth case of the Delta variant of the Covid-19 virus.
In a media release on Sunday evening, the ministry stated that the sixth patient is a national who returned to Trinidad from the United States on August 8.
As per existing quarantine protocols, a negative PCR test was provided which was taken 72-hours prior to arrival.
The ministry stated, “As a result of the positive Covid-19 result from a swab taken after arrival, the patient was isolated and all contacts were immediately quarantined and swabbed. The Covid-19 test results for all contacts were negative. The patient will remain in isolation until the enhanced discharge criteria for persons with Covid-19 Variants of Concern is achieved. The presence of the Delta variant was confirmed via gene sequencing at the laboratory of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies.”
The ministry again stated that research has suggested that the Delta variant was more easily spread from person to person and additional evidence indicates that individuals who have contracted this variant may be prone to an increased risk of severe illness and hospitalisation. This variant may also lead to an increase in cases of Covid-19 in younger age groups and in those who have been previously infected.
The Ministry of Health also urged persons to get vaccinated and to follow all health protocols.
