In case you missed it, here are the key takeaways from today’s Virtual Media Conference:
- COVID-19 Update for T&T
-Tests done to date: 1642
-Unique patient tests: 1335
-Repeated tests: 307
-Positive cases recorded: 116
-Discharged persons: 68 (9 new discharges)
-Deaths: 8
- Minister of Health, Terrence Deyalsingh, said he was glad that the University of Oxford released a ranking of countries best positioned to ease lockdown measures and that T&T’s 2nd place position is a testament to Government’s work and efforts.
- Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Roshan Parasram, gave an update on the community testing initiative and indicated that 182 tests have been conducted thus far, all of which returned negative for COVID-19.
- The CMO also discussed the “New Normal” for society, after lockdown restrictions are rescinded, these include: proper hand hygiene, social distancing, cough etiquette, use of masks, sanitizing surfaces etc.
- Dr. Parasram indicated that site visits are set to take place this week for private labs which applied for COVID-19 testing certification.
- Dr. Parasram mentioned that OSH is working on new workplace guidelines (about a week now). Once completed, they will be sent to all employers.
- Principal Medical Officer, Institutions at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Maryam Richards, gave a rundown of the various facilities chosen to house COVID-19 patients.
-Severe/critical patients to be warded at Couva and Augustus Long Facilities.
-Patients requiring intermediate care will be sent to the Caura, Scarborough and Arima Facilities.
-The designated Step-Down Facilities are the Brooklyn Settlement Facility in Sangre Grande and the Home of Football in Couva
-Returning nationals will be sent to either the UWI Penal/Debe Facility or the National Racquet Centre in Tacarigua.
- Dr. Richards also indicated that the nationals returning from Suriname are set to be quarantined at the UWI Penal/Debe facility and that a team is prepared and ready to conduct testing upon their return.
