TOBAGO’S Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is currently overcapacity with Covid-19 patients.
This is according to the Tobago’s Acting County Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) Dr Tiffany Hoyte.
Hoyte speaking at the Tobago’s Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development virtual media conference on Thursday said there were six ICU patients being housed at the isolation room in Accident and Emergency as there were only five ICU beds available.
The doctor said there were six patients in ICU while there were only five ICU beds in Tobago.
She said, “As much as there are works ongoing currently to expand the ICU capacity, at some point in time we will be back at this position because there’s only so much room, only so many staff to run ICU.”
Dr Hoyte pleaded with the public that this was a good reason to get vaccinated against Covid-19 as vaccination not only reduces the chance of getting the virus but also reduces the chance of ending up in the ICU.
She said with the increased number of cases, there will be an increased number of deaths and an increased number of persons that were severely ill if there was have a highly unvaccinated population.
She said that while there were younger people who were dying from Covid-19, the elderly made up the majority due to severe illness and disease.
Dr Hoyte added that the majority of cases continued to be on the southwestern side of Tobago which was the most densely populated.
When asked about a possible link to Covid-19 positive cases and beaches, Dr Hoyte replied that while they have currently not ascertained any such link, patients who give full disclosure of their whereabouts are found to usually enter beaches illegally where they contract the virus.
Dr Hoyte also emphasised the importance of people to take care of their own mental and physical health as it boosts their immunity.
She said that while gyms may be closed, outdoor exercise was allowed and encouraged persons to take advantage of that avenue.
Dr Hoyte said information regarding Covid-19 positive children by the various age groups was also being disaggregated and would be available by next week.
