Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley Hosts Media Conference On COVID-19: Wednesday April 1st 2020

KEY POINTS FROM PRIME MINISTER DR. KEITH ROWLEY'S MEDIA CONFERENCE: - Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley says he is confident most citizens are right-thinking and know that the Government is truthful and has been transparent on relaying information on COVID-19. - PM Rowley says the general impression is that most citizens are cooperating and being responsible. He said one person could be the difference between success and failure in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in this country. - PM Rowley said it pains him to know there are two cruise ships out at sea that cannot find a port of call. “If you are carrying the virus, nobody wants you.” He is hoping for better news but notes the decisions by countries have been made to protect citizens. - PM Rowley thanks responsible citizens and encourages them to have patience. He said they are looking at responding to keeping the rate of infections down, as well as responding to persons who do not heed the call to be responsible. - The Attorney General and Judiciary to look into reducing the prison population since overcrowding could lead to infections. This will apply to inmates at Remand Yard, those who are non-violent/could not make bail, and other categories. - Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley: T&T is one unit. There is no separate reporting line for Tobago. - Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh notes that five elderly citizens with pre-existing conditions died as a result of COVID-19. He makes a plea again for people to stay home, especially the 19,000 Returning Nationals who came home before the borders closed. He told these Returning Nationals: “The fate of this country lies largely in your hands.” -Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram gives an update on COVID-19 in T&T: 89 Positive Cases, 5 Deaths, 1 Discharged. Number of patients in Isolation: 3 (2 at Couva and 1 at Scarborough – further info below) COUVA: 75 Positive patients (2 in ICU – 1 intubated/on a ventilator and 1 Stable) and 14 In High Dependency Unit (13 Stable, 1 closely monitored for possible ICU admission) and 59 with Mild symptoms. The Health Ministry is looking at alternative locations to house these 59 patients who are Mild. SCARBOROUGH: 1 Patient in ICU Isolation (intubated and on a ventilator). CAURA: All 5 Positive patients are Stable. BALANDRA Quarantine Facility: 22 persons (2 with symptoms tested and in isolation). - Homecare Guidelines on COVID-19 to be circulated to the population. - PM Rowley urges citizens to refrain from exercising outdoors since this could contribute to COVID-19 spread. - PM Rowley says police cannot close banks, supermarkets or markets. He said systems have to be put in place at these places to manage gatherings. - PM Rowley again says NO to a State of Emergency to manage COVID-19 in T&T. He said more interventions will be put in place if needed. - Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh: We have been looking at our Medication Cover since January. We have not had any shortage of medicines in the system, except for two items where there is a global shortage. It should be noted that the regular hospital system is running with Clinics continuing. Compare this to what is happening across the world... We are doing well. - No restrictions on COVID-19 Patients using their phones to communicate with the outside world. - Health Ministry looking into conducting 1,000 COVID-19 tests a day. These tests will be ramped up at the North Central Regional Authority and the San Fernando General Hospital. These tests will be validated by CARPHA. - COVID-19 Hotline 800-WELL is inundated with calls. An App is to be launched to screen possible patients. - Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley will be leaving for Tobago today to spend time with his family following the death of his brother. PM Rowley confirms he was screened for COVID-19 weeks ago and was given the all-clear. He notes he kept a low contact level in the last few weeks as well. On his brother’s funeral, he said it is hard to fathom limiting the gathering to five persons in a large family but it has to be done.