Official Government Statement

The Ministry of Health advises the population that today, 5th September, 2021 the country confirmed its sixth case of the COVID-19 Delta Variant of Concern.

The sixth patient is a national who returned to Trinidad from the United States on 8th August, 2021.  As per existing quarantine protocols, a negative PCR test was provided (which was taken 72-hours prior to arrival).

As a result of the positive COVID-19 result from a swab taken after arrival, the patient was isolated and all contacts were immediately quarantined and swabbed. The COVID-19 test results for all contacts were negative. The patient will remain in isolation until the enhanced discharge criteria for persons with COVID-19 Variants of Concern is achieved.

The presence of the Delta Variant was confirmed via gene sequencing at the laboratory of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies.

Research has suggested that the Delta Variant is more easily spread from person to person, as compared to previous variants (estimated to be 2 to 4 times more transmissible than the original Wuhan lineage of the virus). Additionally, evidence indicates that individuals who have contracted this variant may be prone to an increased risk of severe illness and hospitalization.  This variant may also lead to an increase in cases of COVID-19 in younger age groups and in those who have been previously infected.

The Ministry of Health reminds the population of the importance of being vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus as soon as possible. Additionally, members of the public are reminded to follow the ‘3Ws’ – Wear Your Mask, Watch Your Distance and  Wash Your Hands.

World Health Organisation (WHO) approved COVID-19 vaccines are safe, they are effective and they are available in Trinidad and Tobago. The public is encouraged to visit the Ministry of Health’s website (www.health.gov.tt) as well as the social media pages of the Ministry of Health and the Regional Health Authorities for further information on COVID-19 vaccination.