Ministry of Health Media Conference on COVID-19 - Saturday March 6th 2021

Key Points from the Ministry of Health Media Conference on COVID-19 – Saturday March 6th, 2021: Technical Director of the Epidemiology Division, Dr. Avery Hinds, addressed Home Quarantine for COVID-19 patients. He said even though these patients are well enough to recover at home, they must not risk infecting other people by going out in public. Advice for persons in Home Quarantine: - Stay at home. - Isolate yourself from others within the home. - Wear your mask. - Do not allow visits to the home. - Food/medicine should be delivered to the home. - Open windows for air exchange/ventilation. - Wash clothing and linens as much as possible. Director Women's Health, Dr. Adesh Sirjusingh, noted there were over 15,000 deliveries in T&T last year. He said systems were put in place to protect patients and staff to ensure there was no cross contamination, including having designated COVID-19 areas to care for mothers and their new babies. Since the start of the pandemic, 41 pregnant women were diagnosed with COVID-19 in T&T, and they were all successfully managed in the health system. So far, there are no known foetal defects as a result of a pregnant woman contracting COVID-19. Dr. Sirjusingh said pregnant women are at slightly higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease and are more likely to be hospitalised in the High Dependency Unit or Intensive Care Unit at some point. Pregnant women who are overweight, diabetic, over the age of 35, suffering from high blood pressure/heart disease, or in the last trimester, are also at higher risk. There is a slight increased risk of COVID-19 Positive pregnant women delivering before their full term. However, it is not necessary for COVID-19 Positive pregnant women to deliver by C-section. After delivery, breast milk remains best for babies. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers will not be vaccinated for COVID-19. Fertility treatment and the COVID-19 vaccine: - The vaccine can be taken once women are in the high risk pregnancy group. - It is advisable for women to complete the vaccine treatment before trying to get pregnant. - The COVID-19 vaccine does not interfere with fertility, DNA, or the placenta. Eleven persons are currently hospitalised at the Couva Hospital and Multi-Training Facility for COVID-19 (three are in ICU). Four persons are hospitalised at the Scarborough Regional Hospital.