Ministry Of Health Press Conference On COVID-19 In T&T - Saturday March 21st 2020

KEY POINTS FROM TODAY'S COVID-19 PRESS CONFERENCE: - Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh confirms 40 of the 68 persons quarantined at Balandra have tested Positive for COVID-19. - The 40 COVID-19 Positive patients are at Couva Hospital. They are “generally well” with mild symptoms. - Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram said there is no risk of community spread in T&T from these 40 new COVID-19 patients, since they were among those quarantined as soon as they came off the cruise ship earlier this week. He said there has been containment from the start. - National Security Minister Stuart Young announced that T&T will close its airspace to all international flights from tomorrow night (midnight). This applies to Nationals and Non-Nationals. Sea ports will also be closed. Cargo ships will still be allowed to drop off goods. - Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh: The COVID-19 Hotline is up and running. This hotline will ONLY deal with questions on COVID-19. The COVID-19 Hotline is 877-WELL. This number is the last resort for COVID-19 answers. Ten doctors will be manning the COVID-19 Hotline. - Please utilise other forms of media, press releases, Ministry of Communications social media platforms to get information on COVID-19. The regular 811 is there for citizens in need of medical emergencies. - As a means of preventing COVID-19, maxi taxi and taxi drivers are asked to “take off their air conditioning” when transporting passengers and to practice social distancing by not transporting a “full trip.” - Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh appeals to bar owners and betting shop owners to close their shops in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. - Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram: Persons who came through T&T’s borders in the last 14 days, and those who are arriving up until the borders are closed at midnight tomorrow, please self-isolate.