Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley Hosts Media Conference - Saturday May 22nd 2021

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley announced that the current Public Health Regulations will be extended to July 4th, 2021. On the State of Emergency, the Prime Minister noted that the matter comes up for debate in the Parliament this week. He said Government has the legal ability to go for the full 90 days but it can be revoked earlier, once there is a good response from the public and the COVID-19 numbers go down. He said everyone wants to come out of this period as quickly as possible. PM Rowley thanked Bermuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines for donating COVID-19 vaccines. He explained that Bermuda shared their stock with T&T since, as a British colony, they could utilise their preference more readily. Vincent and the Grenadines also had a preference for another product. The Prime Minister said the vaccines will not go to waste and will be utilised in T&T. He assured that T&T will assist SVG if they encounter challenges later on. PM Rowley stated that T&T has received commitments from countries that could make a difference in the vaccine fight. He confirmed that the Government did try to negotiate for a small volume for the T&T population, but that volume was deemed to be too small at the time. PM Rowley said discipline and vaccination will be key in getting T&T back to a comfortable position. He noted that there were improvements in vaccine availability and advised citizens against waiting on vaccines from certain producers, saying the only preference in T&T should be for WHO-approved vaccines. Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said the MOH is aiming to vaccinate 134,000 persons by August 31st. The MOH is also projecting that 50,000 persons will receive their first Sinopharm shot. The administering of the first doses should be completed in 20 to 25 days. The COVID-19 vaccines from Bermuda will be utilised from Monday since they expire on June 30th. The 24,000 vaccine doses from Bermuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be used for frontline workers in the various Ministries like National Security, Works and Transport, Education, Finance, Attorney General and Legal Affairs, Social Development and Family Services, Public Utilities. One thousand vaccine doses have been set aside for staff and patients in Elderly Homes. The Health Minister urged guardians/children of these elderly persons to provide written, informed consent so they can be vaccinated. Consent forms have already been given to Elderly Homes. On a question on the start of Phase 3 of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme (rollout to the general public), Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said this depends on the availability of commercial quantities of vaccines. He assured that the Ministry of Health is working on this behind the scenes. Minister Deyalsingh assured the public that improvements are underway in the COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment System. PM Rowley said the Government has spent millions of dollars in managing the pandemic, including at the courts. He addressed his critics, stating that his Government does not interfere with what goes on inside the hospitals, or instructed doctors how to act with their patients. He called on his critics to stand aside if they are not going to help T&T. He stated, “Nobody has a will or deed for a hospital bed anywhere. We are all fighting this fight and the singular enemy is COVID-19. I want to ask whoever is doing it, stay out of the hospitalisation programme in T&T. Your political opportunities will come...” Thoracic Medical Director at Caura Hospital, Dr. Michelle Trotman, appealed to persons with COVID-19 symptoms who are in isolation at home to act as they have the virus. Do not go to the grocery etc. If you are Positive and at home, or if you are awaiting results at home, act responsibly - do not share utensils, use a separate bathroom, wash your hands, wear your mask, watch your distance. In her update, Principal Medical Officer Dr. Maryam Abdool-Richards said the gap between the number of hospital admissions and discharges has been closing. Over the past 24 hours, 92 beds were added in the parallel healthcare system (60 beds at the new Point Fortin Hospital and 32 and the Couva Field Hospital). Thirty Ward beds have also been converted to 11 ICU beds. Dr. Abdool-Richards said overall hospital occupancy in Trinidad and Tobago is at 70%. When disaggregated, Trinidad is at 76% and Tobago is at 31%. Here is a breakdown of hospital occupancy by facility: Arima General: 99% Augustus Long: 81% Caura: 93% Couva: 71% New Point Fortin Hospital: Almost at maximum level as at 2PM today. St. Ann's: 100% Here is a breakdown of occupancy at the Step Down facilities: Couva: Activated this afternoon with 10 beds (already filled) Debe: 70% Point Fortin Area Hospital: 85% Port of Spain Field Hospital: 100% UTT Valsayn: 55% The seven-day rolling average continues to increase. T&T is at 508 as of today.