Trinidad and Tobago now has 100 confirmed Covid-19 cases. The Ministry of Health revealed the figure this morning, after two ‘close contacts of a Covid-19 patient’ tested positive last night.
As of this morning, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) tested 722 samples. There have been six deaths related to the novel coronavirus and one discharge.
Forty-nine of the 100 cases came from one source, the Costa Favolosa cruise ship, which travelled last month with 73 nationals. At present, 22 members from that cruise are quarantined in Balandra while the other two are in Caura.
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh believes the government will be able to make firm inference from its Covid-19 data when the country gets to 100 confirmed cases outside of the Costa Favolosa travellers.
The Ministry of Health continues to urge members of the public to:
- Wash your hands properly with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand sanitiser if soap and water are unavailable;
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and dispose tissue immediately after using, or cough and sneeze into crook of your elbow;
- Avoid touching your face;
- Practice social distancing—that is no kissing, hugging or hand-shaking, and avoid mass gatherings;
- Sanitise hard surfaces as often as possible, such as tabletops, handrails, doorknobs and trolleys;
- Avoid close contact with people who have flu-like symptoms;
- Stay home if you are ill or not employed with an essential service.