Port-of-Spain, August 17th 2020: As part of the national drive to safeguard the health of the Trinidad and Tobago population in the face of the global COVID-19 outbreak, the Ministry of Health continues to provide up-to-date information on the country’s status in this regard.
The Ministry of Health reminds the population to source your information only from official sources, such as the Ministry of Health or Ministry of Communications.
The Ministry of Health provides the following clinical update as of the morning of Monday 17th August, 2020:
| Number of samples submitted to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and UWI site for testing forCOVID-19 | 14,655 |
| Number of unique patient tests completed | 12,438 |
| Number of repeated tests | 2,217 |
| Number of samples which have tested positive at public and private facilities in Trinidad and Tobago | 565 |
| Total number of active cases | 413 |
| Number of deaths | 12 |
| Number of persons discharged | 140 |
The Ministry of Health provides the following update:
The Ministry of Health regrets to inform the public that there is an additional COVID-19 related death. The person is an adult male with pre-existing medical conditions. This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths to 12.
· Thirteen (13) additional persons have tested positive for COVID -19.
o Nine (9) positive cases – Trinidad
o Four (4) positive cases -Tobago
Awaiting laboratory forms for categorisation purposes (i.e. contact of COVID-19 positive patient or pending epidemiological investigation etc.)
All established protocols have been implemented.
COVID-19 Positive Patients in Hospital – (149)
Seventy- five (75) patients are en route/ being admitted to hospital.
Forty –six (46) new patients will be processed for admission.
| Couva Hospital and Multi-Training Facility | 1003 (ICU) |
| Caura Hospital | 49 |
COVID-19 Positive Patients in Step-down / Transition Facilities – (143)
| Brooklyn Facility, Sangre Grande | 19 |
| Balandra | 31 |
| Tacarigua | 40 |
| Debe | 53 |
Intensive Care Units (ICUs) are hospital wards that provide treatment for people who are very ill. They are staffed with health care professionals who are trained in ICU treatment and the use of sophisticated monitoring equipment.
High Dependency Units (HDUs) are wards for people who need more observation, treatment and nursing care than is possible in a general ward but slightly less than that given in an Intensive Care Unit.
An Ambulatory Patient is able to walk about and is not bedridden.
If you or a loved one develops symptoms of COVID-19, please call the hotline 877-WELL or 800-WELL (9355) for further guidance. If the person is severely ill, call the 811 (emergency hotline) or call ahead to the Accident and Emergency Department of your nearest hospital for help and go in immediately.
