‘Adult male’ is T&T’s 11th Covid-19 related death; 14 positives at private lab

Trinidad and Tobago’s 11th fatality related to Covid-19 was described this morning by the Ministry of Health as ‘an adult male with pre-existing medical conditions’. For the second time, there was no mention of ‘elderly’—which the government appears to use for anyone above 59 years of age.

Three of the 11 deaths came in the second wave of the novel coronavirus and within a space of just four days.

At present, the twin island republic has 368 active cases who are split between the Couva and Caura hospitals and four facilities initially designated for quarantine purposes in Sangre Grande, Balandra, Tacarigua and Debe. There have been 519 positive cases of the coronavirus in the country since the onset of the pandemic.

Photo: Tests at a private lab in St Clair.

From the 22 cases confirmed today, six are ‘pending epidemiological investigation’, two are ‘contacts of recently positive Covid-19 patients’ and 14 ‘tested positive at a private lab’.

An unconfirmed report suggests that a party by wealthy west Trinidad-based families led to a rush of tests at a private facility in St Clair. However, the Ministry of Health has not provided any details on the issue thus far.

From 6am tomorrow, beaches and rivers are outlawed for bathers as part of anti-virus measures revealed yesterday by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.

Trinidad and Tobago vs Covid-19 (in numbers)

Local infections of Covid-19 in first wave (27 March to 26 April)

  • 50 cases in 31 days.

Local infections of Covid-19 in second wave (20 July to 16 August)

  • 361 cases in 28 days.
Photo: A family wears masks on a visit to the Penal market for fresh fruits and vegetables on 23 April 2020.
(Copyright Ghansham Mohammed/GhanShyam Photography/Wired868)

What is in store for T&T between Monday 17 August and Sunday 13 September:

  • No in-house dining at restaurants, bars, food courts and malls or within its precincts—pick up remains available;
  • Beaches and rivers closed to the public;
  • All places of worship are to be closed;
  • All gyms are to be closed;
  • All water parks are to be closed;
  • No contact sports;
  • Casinos, members clubs and cinemas to be closed;
  • Public gatherings limited to five persons;
  • Funeral, weddings and christenings limited to 10 persons;
  • Taxis and maxis to operate at 50 per cent capacity;
  • Air and sea bridge travel to Tobago limited to essentials;
  • All teaching institutions to be closed until further notice although the SEA exam will be held on August 20;
  • The Independence Day parade likely to be scrapped;
  • The repatriation of nationals to be drastically slowed until space is available at quarantine facilities;
  • The attorney general will look into legislation for the mandatory use of face masks.
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