Covid counter: 17 new cases reported; state quarantine facilities at 75% capacity

The Ministry of Health reported 17 new positive cases of Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. So far for the month of December, there have been 248 confirmed cases of the virus. In total, the ministry has reported 6,917 positive cases since March.

There were, however, no new deaths reported and the death toll remains at 123.

The ministry confirmed that 27 patients were in hospital, with 2 in the intensive care unit at Couva hospital. There are 23 patients in step-down facilities and 259 in state quarantine facilities.

Photo: A patient under quarantine.

Speaking at the health ministry’s media conference, acting principal medical officer Dr Maryam Richards said the state quarantine facilities are at 75% capacity. Asked how repatriation exercises could impact quarantine resources, Dr Richards said that among other criteria, repatriation flights were timed based on the availability of space at the facilities.

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, doorknobs and cell phones;
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitiser;
  • Cough into a tissue or 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 WhatsApp to 482-GARY.

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