Tobago has its third covid19 death
Tobago has recorded its third covid19 death – the first in eight months.
The Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development on Monday said the patient, a 62-year-old woman with comorbidities, died on Sunday. No other information was provided on the patient.
In response, Health Secretary Tracy Davidson-Celestine said she was saddened by the loss.
“No one should have to die due to this virus, she said. The staff did all they could, and our hearts go out to the family and loved ones. We will do our best to offer further emotional support at this time.”
THA health secretary: Forty additional hospital beds coming
Health Secretary Tracy Davidson-Celestine -
Secretary of Health, Wellness and Family Development Tracy Davidson-Celestine has said her division intends to add 40 beds to Tobago’s existing hospital stock to accommodate covid19 patients.
On Friday, the division reported there were 62 active covid19 cases on the island after two additional people tested positive for the virus.
Two patients are currently in the Intensive Care Unit of the Scarborough General Hospital.
Addressing the division’s virtual health briefing on Friday, Davidson-Celestine said the addition of the 40 beds, to be housed in a secured facility, will be a temporary measure.
PDP deputy: Jamaica travel ban an eye-opener
PDP deputy leader Farley Augustine - Assembly Legislature
THA Assemblyman Farley Augustine is calling on all leaders throughout Trinidad and Tobago to use their influence to remind people about the absolute need to be very careful as covid19 infections soar.
At a virtual news conference on Thursday, Augustine said the covid19 situation is “nowhere where we hope we should be as a country.”
Last week, Health Secretary Tracy Davidson-Celestine said bed capacity for covid19 patients was at 65 per cent. On Friday, principal medical officer Dr Maryam Abdool-Richards outlined the gravity of the situation in Trinidad. She said the bed capacity at the Caura hospital was 98 per cent full, 75 per cent at Couva hospital, almost 100 per cent at Augustus Long hospital and 60 per cent at the Arima hospital.
A bigger slice for Tobago
An Hour Ago
Workers reinforce a riverbank to prevent landslides at Manswell Trace, Castara Village, Tobago. Tobagonians have called for a larger allocation of the national budget. - DAVID REID
A parliamentary committee has recommended Tobago get 6.8 per cent of the national budget.
That’s an almost 70 per cent increase in the island’s current mandatory share of 4.03 per cent.
However, Tobagonians are not happy with the proposal and have called for a higher minimum allocation.
We think this issue should not be one settled by whim or fancy. Tobago’s share in the overall fiscal pie needs to reflect its revenue generation, its productivity and its special developmental needs – all weighed in accordance with a carefully devised economic stimulus plan.
Tobago at 65% hospital bed capacity
Health Secretary Tracy Davidson-Celestine -
THA Secretary of Health, Wellness and Family Development Tracy Davidson-Celestine has called for the public to co-operate with the policies and the protocols in light of increasing covid19 numbers in Tobago.
In its Tuesday update, the division said there were ten new covid19 cases on the island. The release said active covid19 cases had increased to 53 while deaths remained at two.
In a WhatsApp voice note on Tuesday, Davidson-Celestine said 53 is the largest number ever recorded on the island.
“I think it’s important for people to understand that we have 53 active covid19 cases on the island and rapidly increasing numbers daily. This represents the largest number of positive active covid19 cases recorded in Tobago in any one cycle and this would eventually, if it continues, put a strain on all of our systems.”