By Chantalé Fletcher
MORE than half of the 52 Covid-19 cases reported in Tobago on July 22 were from primary contacts.
This was revealed by County Medical Officer of Health for Tobago Dr Tiffany Hoyte speaking at the prime minister’s media conference on Saturday at the Anne Mitchell-Gift Auditorium, Scarborough Library Facility in Tobago.
Dr Hoyte “Seven cases were associated with the Scarborough General Hospital, one case in the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service and one on the Port.”
She added that 27 of those 52 cases were known primary contacts of persons who had Covid. This was the highest number of cases reported for a day since the pandemic started.
Dr Hoyte said, “Fifteen out of 52 cases were persons who we considered community acquired.”
She said these were classified as unruly diagnosed cases and were not known to any persons having Covid.
Dr Hoyte noted the trends from January 1 to June 30, 2021.
“The mass increase started at week 17,” she added.
Dr Hoyte said, “Around that time, the P1 variant also known as the Gamma variant was first confirmed in Trinidad which would be around April 19.”
She said, “Epidemiological week 17, which is around April 25 was when we saw our cases starting to take off.
“This was what we could expect, if the Gamma variant enters into circulation, in a community, in a population. As it is more infectious than the original virus; you would see an increase in the rate of spread, and an increase in the number of cases.”
The doctor said, “You expect to get an increase number in hospitalisations and increased deaths.”
Dr Hoyte said there were low cases from January to March.
She added, “There was an upsurge in April, and then a huge upsurge with 42.9% cases recorded in May and 43.6% in June.”
Dr Hoyte revealed that the majority of confirmed Covid-19 positive cases were predominately on the Southwest side of the island.
Secretary of the Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development Tracy Davidson-Celestine said, “Community spread continues to be our greatest challenge on the island and we will continue the education process.”
General Manager of Primary Care at the Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) Dr Roxanne Mitchell said there was 89% of total active cases in home isolation.
Dr Mitchell raised concerns that over the past week, there were persons who were not answering their calls.
She said, “This was to ensure your safety and the safety of your community.”
Dr Mitchell said, “Once we find it difficult to contact you, the police will be informed to come and check on you.”
