(Trinidad Express) Covid-19 coronavirus restrictions are back in place for public hospitals, elder care homes and entertainment industry in light of the new surge in infections, says Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh.
This as Trinidad and Tobago recorded five new cases of infections overnight. It brings to 11 the number of positive cases now being treated at the Caura Hospital.
According to chief medical officer, Dr Roshan Parasram, the five cases were all primary cases from the same household, including three children.
The family members were swabbed after an 11-year-old Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) pupil tested positive for the virus.
He was referred to as case #142.
Parasram, speaking at the Heath Ministry’s virtual media conference, said the child attended classes at a Roman Catholic primary school in Maraval exposing other pupils and teachers. The primary contacts said, was in excess of 90 persons, while secondary contacts can exceed 200.
He said persons directly linked to the child would now be quarantined for 14 days and swabbed.
“The now positive students, teachers etc are considered primary contacts and all of these primary contacts in addition to their contacts like parents and siblings will now be placed into home quarantine for period of 14 days. This will be followed up with monitoring and evaluation for signs and symptoms,” he said.
Parasram said the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) will assist in ensuring these persons abide by home quarantine laws.
Parasaram said the number of persons visiting health centres with viral illnesses have increased in the last two days.
In an advisory to parents, the Catholic Board of Education stated that the infected child had displayed symptoms of Covid-19 and attended SEA classes at the school.
All students, the advisory stated, wore face masks and shield during classes.
“I assure you that we are working with the relevant authorities of both government and ministries i.e Health and Education to ensure that all established protocols and guidelines are being observed. Including having the entire school compound, classrooms and furniture thoroughly sanitised.”
Speaking at the Covid-19 virtual media conference yesterday, Deyalsingh said the government was moving to relax restrictions regarding party boats and nightclubs. However, the authorities were prevented in light of the recent cases.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) officers were also advised to monitor election campaigns as political parties were advised to refrain from gatherings of over 25 persons.
Deyalsingh added that from today, “We are going to once again … strictly enforce the one visitor per patient rule. It is not one visitor at a time. That was in place but like everything else, we may have dropped our guard. So one visitor per patient and visiting hours are still restricted to one hour per day.” He said this message has been sent to all Chief Executive Officers of the Regional Health Authorities.
He also said meetings were held with the Home for the Aged Association and a decision was taken to review the ministry’s decision to relax restrictions on these homes. He said no visitors will be allowed to visit residents homes for the aged.
Deyalsingh said although it was not mandatory, citizens were being advised to wear masks at all times in public.
He said, “The two major breaches in public health measures led to this new case load is wearing masks so from today we are not making masks mandatory by law but strongly recommends that masks be worn in public.”
Deyalsingh asked that businesses strictly enforce the no mask, no service policy.
And he asked that patrons adhere to these policies.
