First confirmed case of UK Covid-19 strain in T&T

The Ministry of Health has reported the first confirmed case in Trinidad and Tobago of the Covid-19 variant, variant B117, first detected in the United Kingdom. The variant has been found to be more transmissible than previous strains of the Sars-COV-2 virus. The full press release appears below:

Photo: The novel coronavirus.

The Ministry of Health advises the population that Trinidad and Tobago has its first confirmed case of the Covid-19 Variant of Concern (UK)—Variant B117.

The patient is a returned national who travelled from the United Kingdom. As per existing quarantine protocols, the national provided a negative PCR test which was taken 72-hours prior to departure from the United Kingdom.

Upon arrival in Trinidad and Tobago, the national was immediately placed in state quarantine, in a single room. The patient was transferred directly to an isolation area at the Couva Hospital and Multi-training Facility once the positive Covid-19 result was confirmed.

The presence of the variant was confirmed via a gene sequencing study at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, the University of the West Indies, which has been testing Covid-19 positive samples collected since September 2020.

The population is reminded that previously, the government of Trinidad and Tobago updated its quarantine protocols for returning nationals from the United Kingdom from 7 days to 14 days state quarantine. This protocol will continue to be implemented and returning nationals from all other high-risk countries will be subject to 7 days state quarantine and 7 days home quarantine.

Photo: A mother and daughter head home from the bakery in Penal on 23 April 2020.
(Copyright Ghansham Mohammed/GhanShyam Photography/Wired868)

Members of the public are asked to note that research has suggested that this strain of Covid-19 is more easily spread from person to person than previous strains (estimated to be 50% more transmissible). Thus, it becomes even more important for members of the public to follow all of the recommended personal health protective measures:

  • Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when you go out in public
  • Keep your distance from others (6 feet)
  • Stay home if you are ill
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser
  • Cough into a tissue or into the crook of your elbow
  • Avoid touching your face
  • Sanitize hard surfaces (e.g. tabletops, handrails, doorknobs and trolleys) as often as possible.

The Ministry of Health will host a virtual conference tomorrow, 22 January 2021 at 11am to provide the public with additional information.

More from Wired868
Daly Bread: Game of blood; T&T needs empirical data on blood collection

Obtaining blood when persons need it can be a harrowing experience.  Very recently, I felt it vicariously while a comrade Read more

More transmissible, not necessarily more severe; new Covid-19 strain, JN.1, reaches T&T

Trinidad and Tobago recorded its first case of new Covid-19 variant, JN.1, according to Carpha today. At present, global health Read more

Daly Bread: Health pomposities—serve and save, don’t hector

The administration of many ministries of government is in continuous decline, while the politicians have wasted tons of money and Read more

Vaneisa: Flooding, drought, earthquakes, war… no wonder we struggle with mental health

A friend messaged me a couple of days ago to say that her doctor had put her on anti-anxiety meds Read more

Vaneisa: Foggy days of fatigue and other post-Covid symptoms

I’ve come to believe that what I had thought to be a vicious bout of both acid reflux and one Read more

Dear Editor: If feters are doing as they please, why are we mandated to wear masks?

“[…] Over the last week we have held the Jam Naked Fete and the Stink & Dutty Fete, which seemed Read more

About Letters to the Editor

Want to share your thoughts with Wired868? Email us at editor@wired868.com. Please keep your letter between 300 to 600 words and be sure to read it over first for typos and punctuation. We don't publish anonymously unless there is a good reason, such as an obvious threat of harassment or job loss.

Check Also

Daly Bread: Game of blood; T&T needs empirical data on blood collection

Obtaining blood when persons need it can be a harrowing experience.  Very recently, I felt …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.