Embedded Files
State of Emergency
Saturday 15th May, 2021 15:00
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley at today's Media Conference on COVID-19 has announced as of midnight tonight, Trinidad and Tobago will be under a State of Emergency (SoE) with a Curfew in place from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. which implementation is to further reduce the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Virus.
Based on the increasing number of COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in the Country, and factoring the Rate of Infections is predicted to continue increasing in the days to come, the Prime Minister has indicated that a State of Emergency is necessary to combat such.
As to how long the State of Emergency will be in effect will ultimately be determined by the response of Citizens, who had not all followed the Public Health Ordinance and continued to flout the Regulations. The PM said this has to do with cooperation from the Public in staying home and maintaining Health Protocols. Additionally, it is to be noted that lifting of some restrictions on May 23rd will be dependent on Epidemiologist Dr. Avery Hinds' data in the coming days.
All Essential Services will remain open during the SoE including National Security, Health, Energy, Utilities, Ports and Airports, Food Supply chain (Packaging, Preparation, Supermarkets), Pharmacies, Transport. The full list of Essential Services will be stated in the updated Public Health Regulations.
"I'm sorry that it has come to Coffins and the faces of Dead People for us to realise that we are in, and always have been in a very difficult place."
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley
The plea was made for people not to hoard Food and other items as the SoE comes into effect as the assurance that regular Supply Systems with remain open daily and there is no need to rush and go out to stock up on Food and Gas today.
Thoracic Medical Director at the Caura Hospital, Dr. Michelle Trotman, reiterated that Sick and Dying Patients have been confessing to Doctors they went to Parties where they would have contracted COVID-19, and made another plea for Citizens to distance, sanitise, and wear masks.
On a question on the postponement of the Secondary Entrance Assessment exam, the PM said the Minister of Education will address this in a short time, however Face-to-Face Contact with Teachers and Pupils at all Levels will be immediately halted.
Arrangements are being made to bring in 100,000 Vaccines from China. If the Sinopharm Vaccines arrive on time this coming week, Vaccination is expected to start next Saturday. The Minister of Health, Terrence Deyalsingh, said a portion of the Vaccines will be administered to Elderly Persons in Homes. As with the AstraZeneca Vaccine, priority will be given to:
Health Care Workers
Persons over 60 with or without Co-Morbidities
Persons under 50 with Co-Morbidities
PM Rowley highlighted a Washington expert who said Vaccine Shortage may last for years. He therefore urged people to take Dr. Tim Gopeesingh's advice to take whatever COVID-19 Vaccine is available when their time comes.
Principal Medical Officer Dr. Maryam Abdool-Richards noted that the 7-Day rolling average for COVID-19 Cases is now 380, and there is an increase in COVID-19 Admissions of 30 to 50 Patients across the Hospital System on a daily basis. She said as fast as Bed Capacity was increased this week, they were filled.
The following is a breakdown of COVID-19 Hospital Occupancy:
Arima - 85%
Augustus Long - 90%
Caura - 78%
Couva - 71%
St. Ann's - 80%
Tobago - 25%
The following is a breakdown of Bed Occupancy levels for COVID-19 Patients:
HDU beds: 95%
ICU beds: 100%
Ward beds: 66%
Step-down beds: 57%
Dr. Richards said Beds are being converted with Ventilators added on a daily basis.
The Ambulance System is at 50% in terms of Transport of COVID-19 Patients.
Report abuse