In case you missed it, here are the Key Points from today’s Virtual Media Conference: Wednesday, May 20th 2020:
- Minister of Health, Terrence Deyalsingh, reminded that we are still in a global pandemic and COVID-19 will be around for some time. Globally, there are over 5 million cases of the virus, with 325,556 deaths recorded.
- Minister Deyalsingh noted that Trinidad and Tobago took a careful decision to reopen some sectors of the economy in phases. Phase 2, involving the reopening of the construction and the manufacturing sectors, will begin tomorrow, Thursday May 21st 2020. With more people moving around in society with the start of Phase 2 tomorrow, Minister Deyalsingh said it is “absolutely critical” that citizens adhere to the New Normal to wear face masks in public, maintain physical distance, practice hand hygiene/cough etiquette, and stay home if they are ill.
- Minister Deyalsingh noted that some people are not wearing their masks over their faces but are letting it hang around their chins or removing it to speak. He advised citizens to follow protocols in wearing their masks.
- 1,047 Community Tests have been administered in Trinidad and Tobago and all returned Negative for COVID-19.
- Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram confirmed that the County Medical Officers of Health conducted follow-ups with all 107 COVID-19 patients for seven days after their discharge from the Step Down Facilities. Most had no lingering virus symptoms but one person had a slight cough and underwent a complete check-up before being discharged.
- Dr. Parasram said if there is a resurgence of COVID-19 in T&T, the Phases in reopening the economy will be rolled back. He said how far the roll-back goes will depend on the number of new cases in the public as well as other factors like community spread.
- Minister of Communications, Donna Cox, thanked the Minister of Health, Chief Medical Officer and members of the health fraternity, for their dedicated service to the people of T&T . She also reminded the population that the reopening of the country will continue on a phase basis once there is no movement in the infection rates.
