Ministry of Health Virtual Media Conference on COVID-19 – Thursday April 1st, 2021.

Key Points from the Ministry of Health Virtual Media Conference on COVID-19 – Thursday April 1st, 2021. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram confirmed that three COVID-19 Positive patients have died in the last 24 hours. Additionally, 46 new cases were recorded in the last 24 hours. In a bid to control the spread of COVID-19, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh announced that all recreational team sports will be prohibited from tomorrow, Friday April 2nd, 2021. However, training of athletes involved in National and International sports will continue. The Regulations giving effect to this change will be signed off in the next few hours. Minister Deyalsingh warned that we are not in a post COVID-19 pandemic period and urged citizens to take precautions. Commenting on the three deaths overnight, he said they were "three deaths too much," and much more will die if people do not follow the health protocols. He noted that Europe is shutting down once again due to a surge in COVID-19 as some countries manage a third wave of the virus. The COVID-19 vaccine roll-out is on track for Tuesday 6th April 2021. Health workers and persons over 60 with NCDs will be among the first to receive the vaccine. The Health Minister stated that 6,621 frontline workers and 40,950 NCD patients are being targeted. Persons who are part of the NCD clinics in the 21 Designated COVID-19 Vaccine facilities will not have to pre-register or make an appointment to get the vaccine. Those over the age of 60 will be offered the vaccine when they come in for their NCD clinic appointment. Other members of the public who are over the age of 60 can call one of the 21 Designated COVID-19 Vaccine facilities to make an appointment on non-NCD clinic days. The contact details are available via the Ministry of Health website www.health.gov.tt/covid19 and social media pages. Minister Deyalsingh reminded that the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is not a silver bullet. It is just one very important extra layer of protection from the virus.