By Sue-Ann Wayow
ITS been two years since Trinidad and Tobago reported its first Covid-19 positive case.
Since then, there have been more than 132,708 positive cases in the twin-island republic.
At a press conference on March 12, 2020, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh announced that the nation’s first positive case was a 52-year-old man who flew into the country from Switzerland.
Before that, the country had been preparing for the virus and the World Health Organization (WHO) had just announced a global pandemic that sent the population into a frenzy purchasing supplies as if preparing for a natural disaster. Masks were still limited then.
Months later, it would be illegal to be in public without a mask.
The first Covid-19 death was recorded shortly after with 77-year-old Hansel Leon, who died at the Couva Hospital also that March 25.
To date, there have been 3,681 deaths.
Over the two-year period, there have been two major lockdown periods, an extended State of Emergency, the emergence of several strains of the virus with the most recent being the Omicron and the introduction of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Physical school was closed and Carnival cancelled.
There have been three waves of the virus and now the country is preparing to go into the endemic stage.
December 2021, was declared the deadliest Covid-19 month with 711 persons.
With respect to Covid-19 vaccination, the first batch of vaccines was received via the COVAX facility more than one year later since the first case was detected on March 30, 2021. Four different brands of vaccines were available to the population which included AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson and were administered via mass vaccination sites, public and private as well as the 109 health centres throughout the two islands. The Sinopharm vaccine remains the most popular in Trinidad and Tobago.
More than half of the population is considered fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus.
On the social aspect, Government, groups and private citizens stepped up to assist many who were in need of food items, having lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic.
Some businesses have either closed permanently or adjusted to keep up with the economic situation.
Now, vaccination cards are entry requirements to eat and be entertained in public places.
The Ministry of Health continues to encourage Covid-19 vaccination amidst public marches and walks against any form of mandatory vaccination.
The ministry and government have maintained that vaccination continues to remain a choice and the onus was now on the population to exhibit personal responsibility.
Virtual media conferences are now more in use and the Judiciary has its court cases online.
And the health protocols remain in place – the three Ws (washing hands, wearing mask and watching distance).
