A Standard Five student of the Maraval Roman Catholic School is among five family members who tested positive for COVID-19 overnight.

This was confirmed by Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh during Saturday’s COVID-19 media update.

The student is one of three children who have tested positive for the virus overnight; the cluster of five cases are all primary (home) contacts of case 142. 

The new batch of cases brings the total number of cases in Trinidad and Tobago to 147.

Contact tracing has already begun for the new cases- the student, who attended SEA classes last week, despite displaying symptoms of the virus, has interacted with 90 primary contacts.

Overall, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Roshan Parasram estimates that the primary contacts for the cluster of five cases could be upwards of 300 people. 

With the unfavorable turn in events over the past week, with local case activity being seen for the first time in roughly 80 days, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh says while government is not considering imposing another shutdown at this time, some planned relaxations will now need to be postponed. 

Specifically, Minister Deyalsingh said plans to reopen the entertainment industry will now have to be paused as they process the current threat of the virus.

In addition, visiting will be banned for elderly homes, in an effort to protect the vulnerable group. 

Visiting hours at hospitals will remain at one hour daily, and only one visitor will be allowed per patient.