Ministry Of Health Virtual Media Conference - Thursday April 23rd 2020

Key Points From The Ministry Of Health’s Virtual Media Conference - Thursday April 23rd 2020: • Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said four more persons who were treated for COVID-19 were discharged last night, bringing the total number of discharged patients to 41. • The following is the update on COVID-19 patients across the various facilities: CAURA: No patients COUVA: 23 patients (Mild, Asymptomatic. 11 of the 23 should move to a Step Down Facility later today) SANGRE GRANDE STEP DOWN FACILITY: 12 patients (Asymptomatic, Low Risk, Stable) HOME OF FOOTBALL: 31 patients (Mild, Asymptomatic, Stable) TACARIGUA CONVALESCENT CENTRE: 33 (Barbados group) • Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram clarified current protocols for COVID-19 testing. He said persons presenting with severe acute respiratory illnesses (difficulty breathing, lower respiratory issues or pneumonia) are tested. Eight Health Centres and one in Tobago are testing in the communities. Community testing continues. • PCR machines have already been installed at the University of the West Indies, and they are expected to be up and running by Monday. • There are 266,000 diabetics in T&T, and 341,000 citizens who are hypertensive. • Nephrologist and Acting Head of Department of Medicine at San Fernando General Hospital, Dr. Neal Bhagwandass, said just like elderly people, persons of all ages with underlying health issues (such as NCDs) are at higher risk for COVID-19. These include people with asthma, chronic lung diseases, diabetes, serious heart conditions, chronic kidney diseases who are on dialysis, liver diseases, as well as those who are immune-compromised (Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis) or severely obese. He advised these patients to continue their treatment, such as going for dialysis if you are a kidney patient, or taking insulin and monitoring blood sugar if you are diabetic. • Dr. Bhagwandass said there are 1,400 patients on dialysis in the system and they will be screened for fevers etcetera before entering the Dialysis Unit at hospitals. "We do not want COVID-19 to spread into our dialysis population. That would be a disaster." • There are 12 dialysis machines dedicated for COVID-19 patients with kidney disease. • Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh confirmed that the Report on selection of Sangre Grande Step Down Facility has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office • Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram said he is awaiting COVID-19 results on the 33 Nationals who returned home earlier this week after being under mandatory quarantine in Barbados. The CMO of Barbados is to send this information to him. • Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram said from observation only (no data yet), the majority of population had been adhering to social distancing protocols and wearing face masks, but some were not. However, he noted that citizens became relaxed when T&T did not record a Positive case for a few days. He said countries like Japan have shown that lifting restrictions too early could lead to a second wave of COVID-19 in the population. “It is way too early to have that sort of behaviour occurring... We have to stay the course.” • Seventy post mortem samples have been submitted to CARPHA for testing and all returned Negative for COVID-19. • Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram reiterated that bleach and water can be used to sanitise fruits and vegetables.