Ministry of Health Virtual Media Conference Friday April 17th 2020

KEY POINTS FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH'S VIRTUAL MEDIA CONFERENCE - FRIDAY APRIL 17TH 2020 MOH COVID-19 Update For Friday 17th April 2020 – 10AM: Samples Submitted For Testing: 1,298 Positive Samples: 114 Number of Deaths: 8 Number of Persons Discharged: 20 Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said 64 patients remain hospitalised for COVID-19. Caura: 11 (Stable) Couva: 53 (1 in HDU, 52 Ambulatory) Sangre Grande Step Down: 22 (Ambulatory and Low Risk, however one patient was sent back to hospital for testing). AG Faris Al-Rawi highlighted an updated Regulation that has come into effect in relation to the power and function of the Chief Medical Officer and Minister of Health under the Public Health Ordinance. It is more for clarification due to litigation matters stemming from COVID-19 measures, specifically in terms of “quarantine” of patients. AG Al-Rawi confirmed that the court matter involving a TV talk show host was withdrawn by the Attorney yesterday as his client had in fact tested Positive for COVID-19. There was admission that they already knew that he tested Positive even before matter went to court. AG Al-Rawi presented an update on the release of certain categories of prisoners as a means of preventing COVID-19 in the system. In total, 957 persons within the prison population qualify for release. The breakdown is as follows: Persons Convicted of Summary Offences: 84 Persons Convicted Summarily Of Indictable Offences: 62 Persons Convicted Of Indictable Offences: 1 Children Convicted Of Summary And Indictable Offences: 33 Persons Charged With Summary Offences But Unable To Access Bail: 137 Children Charged With Summary And Indictable Offences, Granted Bail Pending Appeal, But Unable To Access: 16 Persons Serving Terms Of imprisonment In Default Of Maintenance Fines: 44 Persons Convicted Of Summary Or Indictable Offences Who Have Sentenced To Terms Exceeding One Year, But Are In Their Final Year Of Imprisonment: 459 121 persons have already been released from the prisons. They are all low-risk prisoners. AG Al-Rawi said T&T has now reached an important milestone in terms of virtual courts. There will be 12 virtual courts in operation by next week: 4 - Golden Grove Prison 4 - Maximum Security Prison 1 - ECRC 1 - Women’s Prison 1 - POS Jail 1 - YTRC AG Al-Rawi said the plan to start virtual courts in T&T spanned the last four years and is groundbreaking, as the majority of prisoners will no longer have to be transported to court. Government will save $80 million a year in prisoner transport as a result of this initiative. Containers were retrofitted for virtual courtroom sittings at a cost $70,000 each. Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said his Facebook profile was recently hacked. As promised by the Commissioner of Police last week, AG Al-Rawi confirmed there will be roadblocks around T&T. He said: "Yes, it's a feature of COVID. Why is it going on? It's just general policing, and we are intent on dealing with the scourge of criminality in this society."