7 more die from COVID-19, 257 new cases recorded

Seven more people have lost their lives to COVID-19, while another 257 people have tested positive for the disease, according to the latest update from the Ministry of Health.

Seven more people have lost their lives to COVID-19, while another 257 people have tested positive for the disease, according to the latest update from the Ministry of Health.

In its update for today, Friday 20 August 2021, the Ministry notes that these latest deaths have pushed up the national death toll to 1,215 lives lost.

In addition, the 257 new positive cases, based on samples taken during the period August 16th to August 19th, 2021, mean that there are now 5,728 active cases of COVID-19 in the country, at this time.

And with news that the 108,000 WHO-approved Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines from the African Medical Supplies Platform arrived in T&T today, vaccination rates are expected to increase exponentially over the coming weeks.

Currently, some 355,822 people in the country are fully vaccinated, having received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine—either Sinopharm or AstraZeneca or Pfizer.

And some 472,946 people have received their first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, as of today, Friday, the Ministry’s update reports.

With regard to the Pfizer vaccination drive among young people 12 to 18 years, only one person received their second dose today, while 3,436 youngsters received their first dose of the vaccine.

The Health Ministry also notes in its update:

● 323 persons are still hospitalised for COVID-19; up from 318 patients on Thursday.

● 5,050 persons are in home self-isolation; down from 5,199 patients on Thursday.

● 130 persons are in State quarantine facilities; up from 102 patients on Thursday.

● 98 patients are still recovering in step/down facilities; up from 96 patients on Thursday.