Quarantined returnee tests positive for Covid-19; T&T gets first case in four weeks

Trinidad and Tobago has one new confirmed case of Covid-19. The infected person was revealed, according to Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh, to be one from a family of three who recently returned to the country and was quarantined at the TTFA Home of Football Wellness Centre in Couva.

The person, Trinidad and Tobago’s 117th case of the novel coronavirus, is said to have gone straight into quarantine upon arrival. As of 7.24pm, the Ministry of Health had not issued a release, however,  it means that the country has its first case of the novel coronavirus since 26 April—four weeks ago.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago appears to now have 117 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus.

At a press conference today, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced plans to enter the third phase in the reopening of the local economy, with the entire public sector and retail industry resuming operation along with the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB).

Deyalsingh confirmed that the positive case will not affect these plans since the case was imported and isolated. There are roughly 1,000 beds available for patients, with no indication of a swell of infection on the way.

However, the government may see it as vindication of its cautious approach to the repatriation of citizens.

Today, Rowley said the biggest risk to the health of the country lay abroad and asked the public to remember why it has closed its borders.

“While we empathise and are moved by the stories on the news,” said Rowley, “that is not the basis on which we will make our decisions at our borders…”

Rowley and Minister of National Security Stuart Young are to meet next week to consider ‘the commercial repatriation of more of our people on the outside’, which would mean allowing Caribbean Airlines to bring home citizens who are aboard at present.

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