China donates second tranche of PPE to Foreign Affairs, to aid in Covid fight

The Ministry of Health was gifted a second tranche of Personal Protective Equipment on Tuesday 8 September from the People’s Republic of China, in keeping with a commitment offered to Trinidad and Tobago on 11 May 2020.

The PPE includes protective suits, disposable isolation gowns and shoe covers, and will go towards the country’s fight against the novel coronavirus.

Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Dr Amery Browne, who made the presentation to Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh, said the donation was ‘a further testament to the partnership between both countries’ that should ‘contribute to the work of local medical professionals’.

Dr Browne pledged that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs aims to be ‘a strong ally and supporter of the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic’.

As of this morning, Trinidad and Tobago had 1,868 active cases of the novel coronavirus after the Ministry of Health announced 75 additional positives along with one death.

The deceased patient was described as ‘an elderly male with co-morbidities’ and brings the total number of Covid-19 related deaths to 40. There have been 2,663 positive tests for the virus from 22,952 unique patient swaps since the onset of the pandemic.

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 with 8 deaths.

Local infections of Covid-19 in second wave (20 July to 17 August)

• 436 cases in 29 days with 4 deaths.

Local infections of Covid-19 since gov’t roll-backs (18 August to 10 September)

• 1,971 cases in 23 days with 28 deaths.

The Ministry of Health reminds members of the public to adhere to the ‘new normal’ and:

• Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when you go out in public;
• Keep your distance from others (six feet);
• Stay home if you are ill;
• Clean then sanitise surfaces, such as tabletops, door knobs and cell phones;
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitiser;
• Cough into a tissue or into the crook of your elbow;
• Avoid touching your face.

Persons are urged to call Covid-19 hotline numbers: 877-WELL, 87-SWRHA or 877-3742 (Trinidad) and 800-HEAL (Tobago) if they feel unwell; or they can report a possible breach of Covid-19 regulations by calling 555, or sending messages—inclusive of photographs and videos—to the Police App or via Whats App to 482-GARY.

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