Another five patients have succumbed to Covid-19 according to the Health Ministry’s update for today, putting T&T’s overall death toll from the virus at 1,650.

Meantime, another 117 people have tested positive for Covid, with the active case load now at 4,573.

There are 318 patients receiving hospital care at this time.

The Ministry of Health is working to expand the number of beds in the Intensive Care Units across the parallel healthcare system, as Principal Medical Officer Dr. Maryam Abdool Richards warns there are only three remaining beds in Trinidad and two in Tobago. Noting that 96% of Covid-19 patients who find themselves requiring ICU level care are unvaccinated, she revamped a call for folks to get jabbed to protect themself from serious illness.

The number of people fully inoculated is at 585,737 while 618,345 people have received at least a first dose. 

Members of the public are reminded that they must adhere to the ‘New Normal’ recommendations and take the following personal health measures to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19:

–Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when you go out in public

–Keep your distance from others (6 feet)

–Stay home if you are ill

–Clean then sanitize surfaces (e.g. tabletops, door knobs and cell phones)

–Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

-Cough into a tissue or into the crook of your elbow

-Avoid touching your face

 If you or a loved one develops symptoms of COVID19, please call the hotline 877-WELL or 800- WELL (9355) for further guidance. If the person is severely ill, call the 811 (emergency hotline) or call ahead to the Accident and Emergency Department of your nearest hospital for help and go in immediately.