13 new COVID-19 cases

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The Ministry of Health has confirmed 13 new COVID-19 infections which brought the total number of people to be infected locally up to 6,488.

According to its daily update, these new cases were from samples collected between November 21 and 23. The number of active cases, however, decreased after 17 people were released from the ministry’s care; two people were discharged from public health facilities while 15 were released from home self-isolation as recovered community cases. This left the number of active cases at 734. Of these, 648 people were in home self-isolation which includes 174 people within the prison system, 45 were in hospitals and 28 were in step-down/transitional facilities.

The releases made 5,639 people to recover from the virus. There were 123 people in state quarantine facilities. Deaths remained at 115.

Meanwhile the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has placed T&T on the highest COVID level, and has warned Americans not to travel to this country.

“Travelers should avoid all travel to Trinidad and Tobago. Travel may increase your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19.

If you must travel, get tested with a viral test 1–3 days before your trip. Do not travel if you are waiting for test results, test positive, or are sick. Follow all entry requirements for your destination and provide any required or requested health information,” the CDC alert said.

It advised Americans who must travel to T&T to “wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet from people who are not traveling with you, wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer, and watch your health for signs of illness.”

It added, “Before traveling back to the United States, get tested with a viral test 1–3 days before travel. Follow all destination and airline recommendations or requirements. After you travel, get tested 3–5 days after travel AND stay home for 7 days after travel.”