Ministry of Health Media Conference On COVID-19 - Saturday May 1st 2021

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh highlighted some "disturbing videos" of large groups of people congregating to buy food at Eddie Hart Grounds, Cross Crossing, the Queen's Park Savannah and other places. He urged persons to "shelter in place" and only come out to do essential matters like grocery shopping, picking up medication at the pharmacy etc. He said while food vending is being allowed, people seemed to have abandoned personal responsibility and are putting others at risk by congregating. Principal Medical Officer, Dr. Maryam Abdool-Richards, addressed hospital occupancy levels in Trinidad and Tobago. There were 173 COVID-19 Positive patients hospitalised as at 4PM yesterday. COUVA: 116 (8 in ICU, 10 in HDU) CAURA: 36 SCARBOROUGH: 20 SIGNAL HILL: 1 Dr. Abdool-Richards said due to the increase in hospitalised COVID-19 cases, a decision was taken to re-operationalise the Arima General Hospital and add 67 additional beds to the grid. Already, 10 COVID-19 patients were admitted to Arima General Hospital overnight. Fifty beds have also been added to the Couva Hospital. The Augustus Long Hospital, which was first earmarked to treat ‘suspected’ COVID-19 cases, has been transitioned to treat confirmed cases. Hospital occupancy is now at 24% due to the additional beds at Couva and Arima. Dr. Abdool-Richards appealed for citizens to exercise personal responsibility to keep the COVID-19 transmission down - please pay attention to increase in cases, and the growing number of hospitalised cases. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram reassured persons who would've received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine that they will receive their second dose in time. Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh added that more vaccines are on its way this month and in June. Minister Deyalsingh also confirmed that the COVID-19 Vaccination Drive continues from Monday. - Persons over 60 with or without NCDs can make appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine. - Persons under 60 with NCDs (asthma included) can also make appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine. However, they should walk with a doctor's letter stating their medical condition. Contact details for appointments will be provided later today. The Health Minister said the Mass Vaccination site at the Queen's Park Savannah administered about two thousand vaccines in one day. Repatriation exercises continue. On Thursday, 136 TT Nationals returned from New York and 25 persons are returning from St. Vincent on the Galleons Passage later today. Epidemiologist Dr. Avery Hinds said the new measures implemented this week will slow the upward trend of cases. He said COVID-19 positivity is about 27% at this time. The Public Health Regulations have been amended to accommodate the livestreaming of religious services (5 persons or less at these facilities to do so). Minister Deyalsingh thanked all leaders of the Muslim faith for their understanding as under the new Regulations, mosques are closed during the month of Ramadan.