Ministry of Health Virtual Media Conference - Wednesday November 25th 2020

Key Points from the Ministry of Health's Virtual Media Conference - Wednesday November 25th 2020 Principal Medical Officer, Dr. Maryam Abdool-Richards, confirmed that the parallel health system is 13% occupied at the moment, but medical officials anticipate an increase in occupancy due to gatherings over the Christmas Season and New Year festivities. Dr. Richards made a plea for citizens to refrain from large gatherings over the Christmas period since this would lead to a spike in COVID-19 cases. Several repatriation flights have been organised over the next two weeks. They include 120 Returning Nationals from Miami, and another 120 coming in from Barbados. They will be placed in State/State supervised quarantine at various facilities. Dr. Adesh Sirjusingh - Director, Directorate of Women's Health, confirmed that so far, 34 pregnant women in Trinidad have contracted COVID-19 this year, with no cases recorded in Tobago. The 34 cases were successfully managed in the public health system, with no deaths recorded. In addition, no baby has been affected or had to be hospitalised as a result of COVID-19. Dr. Sirjusingh said breastfeeding is allowed, even in mothers who have COVID-19. Babies should not wear masks since this can lead to suffocation. Dr. Sirjusingh said mental stress and anxieties are expected at this time and there will be increased risks of post-partum blues, depression and psychosis in pregnant women. They are urged to seek help to cope at this time.