In keeping with the Ministry of Health’s policy, contact tracing has begun to determine how Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley contracted the Covid-19 virus, as well as how many people must now go into quarantine as a result of his diagnosis.

“This is standard operating procedure that has begun, yes, in Tobago,” Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh confirmed while addressing the media on Tuesday afternoon, moments after taking his first dose of the vaccine.

News of Dr. Rowley’s positive result was revealed by the Office of the Prime Minister on Tuesday morning, in a statement which said the PM had been tested for the virus on Monday evening after experiencing mild flu symptoms. 

Asked by the media about suspicion over the announcement of the PM’s positive result- which came on the same day he was scheduled to take the vaccine at the Scarborough Health Facility, Minister Deyalsingh laughed off any inference that the diagnosis was a front  by the PM to get out of taking the vaccine.

“That is absolute old talk,” Deyalsingh chuckled, adding “the Prime Minister is a very upright, straightforward person, and he has as the press release said, contracted Covid-19. And when you contract Covid-19 or if you have any flu like symptoms, you cannot take the Covid vaccine, right nurse?” 

Deyalsingh said his last in-person interaction with the PM was two Saturdays ago at a Covid-19 press briefing held at the Diplomatic Centre. 

There has also been no in-person meetings of Cabinet in recent times, according to government sources.