There are no COVID 19 cases in Trinidad and  Tobago, according to the latest statistics provided by the Ministry of Health.

 The Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram, meantime, says the report from Canada which states that a person who visited Trinidad and Tobago was tested positive in Alberta is being verified. In the meantime, however, he states that it is of no concern to Trinidad and Tobago really. Speaking before the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee in Parliament on Wednesday morning, Dr Parasram noted that he requested an epidemiological report from Public Health Canada on the person who travelled to Trinidad. Officials in Alberta, he revealed, will need to do a thorough public health history, before the information is shared with Trinidad  and Tobago.

As of the morning of Wednesday, 11^th March, 2020 the Ministry  of Health states:

 

·         Number of samples submitted to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for testing for COVID-19 = 40

·         Number of samples which have tested positive = 0

 

The public is also advised that the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has the only lab that is certified to test samples for COVID-19 and therefore, it is the only lab that can confirm positive or negative results of the samples.

 

The Ministry will continue to provide accurate information to the public in a timely fashion. The public is therefore urged to disregard and avoid sharing all unconfirmed, misleading and/or false information about COVID-19 (formerly Novel Coronavirus).

 

Members of the public are also asked to take the following personal hygiene measures to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19:

·         Wash your hands properly with soap and water

·             Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if water and soap are not available

·           Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze

·            Dispose of tissue immediately after using

·             Cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow if you do not have a tissue

·            Avoid touching your face

·             Stay home if you are ill

·             Avoid close contact with people who have flu-like symptoms