Official Government Statement

The Ministry of Health advises the population that today, 19^th September, 2021, Trinidad and Tobago confirms 3 additional cases of the COVID-19 Delta Variant of Concern. This brings the total number of cases of the COVID-19 Delta Variant which have been confirmed for Trinidad and Tobago to 10.

One case is a non-national who recently travelled to Trinidad from Venezuela.

Another case is an unvaccinated minor. Epidemiological investigations into the source of transmission continue.

The final case is an unvaccinated adult. Epidemiological investigations into the source of transmission continue

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.

All patients have been placed in isolation until the enhanced discharge criteria for persons with COVID-19 Variants of Concern is achieved. Contact tracing, testing and quarantining of contacts have been initiated.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there have been confirmed cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19 in 174 countries. 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 takes this opportunity to remind 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 all of the recommended personal health protective measures, even if they are fully vaccinated:

• Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when you go out in public
• Keep your distance from others (6 feet)
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Stay home if you are ill
• Cough into a tissue or into the crook of your elbow
• Avoid touching your face
• Sanitize hard surfaces (e.g. table tops, hand rails, door knobs and trolleys) as often as possible.

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.