Ministry Of Health Virtual Media Conference - Wednesday April 22nd 2020

KEY POINTS FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH’S VIRTUAL MEDIA CONFERENCE – WEDNESDAY APRIL 22nd 2020: • Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh noted that there were significant developments in COVID-19 matters overnight in T&T. In particular, he said 63 Surveillance Tests that were done last week have all returned Negative. Surveillance Testing in the population continues. • There were also nine new discharges last evening, bringing the total to 37. • The following is the update on COVID-19 patients across the various facilities: CAURA: 9 patients (Stable) COUVA: 23 patients (Ambulatory, Mild symptoms) SANGRE GRANDE STEP DOWN FACILITY: 16 patients (Medical staff residing on site) HOME OF FOOTBALL: 22 patients (Asymptomatic, Low Risk and Stable. 14 Medical staff residing on site) PRINCESS ELIZABETH CENTRE: 1 Suspect Case (Stable and Monitored) • Minister Deyalsingh clarified that 250 St. Ann’s patients were not sent home because of COVID-19, but their decanting took place as part of Government’s Mental Health Decentralisation Policy which was announced long before the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. • Police officers to begin using body cams at roadblocks. • National Security Minister Stuart Young reminded that measures taken to protect citizens from contracting COVID-19 will cause some inconvenience but it is to prevent spread. He said last Friday’s roadblocks were necessary, adding “Roadblocks are not a COVID measure.” • National Security Minister Stuart Young noted that there are some people who are using loopholes to keep their businesses open, such as putting loaves of bread in their storefront and claiming to be a bakery. • Many TT Nationals abroad are seeking exemptions to the border closure to return home. Minister Young said each request is “carefully considered and dealt with in a very strict protocol and procedure manner” but Government cannot reopen the borders yet. He said every request is looked at and “no amount of lawyers ‘lawyering up’ and sending it to me will change anything.” • Minister Young said the breaking of our borders at this stage has the potential to re-import COVID-19 into T&T and create a second wave of the virus. This will also put front line workers, including those in charge of border security, at risk. As such, T&T’s borders will remain closed. “We have no intention at this stage to allow our borders to become porous and allow persons a free flow of access. This is being done to protect us, the population, who are here.” • Noting that some CARICOM countries have already opened their borders, the Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Dennis Moses, has written to Regional Governments advising them against allowing entry to TT Nationals who are trying to make their way home. Minister Young advised those TT Nationals to “shelter in place.” • T&T is in talks with the Surinamese Government on bringing TT Nationals there back home. In the interim, employers of these TT citizens in Suriname have ensured they have money and access to food. • Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has instructed that care relief packages be sent to the UWI Mona and Cave Hill campuses to provide relief to TT students there. • Minister Stuart Young assured people who produce seedlings that they are covered by the current Public Health Regulations and can continue to work. • Funeral homes told to abide by the regulation to have a minimum of five persons at such services.