Another COVID

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The country’s COVID-19 death toll rose again yesterday after one additional fatality was recorded. The latest death, according to the Ministry of Health, was an elderly male with pre-existing medical condition, taking the total number of people to succumb to the virus to 83.

Some 79 additional infections were also confirmed within the last 24 hours. Despite these new cases, the number of active cases in the country only increased marginally to 1,784, after 67 people were released from the ministry’s care. Ten were discharged from public health facilities while 57 were released from home isolation as “recovered community cases.” Recovered community cases refer to people who were previously COVID-19 positive and in self-isolation at home and subsequently met the discharge criteria and released.

The total number of people to be infected with the virus locally since the first case was recorded on March 12 now stands at 4,818.

According to the ministry’s 10 am update, there were 100 people receiving treatment at hospital for the virus—67 at the Couva Hospital and Multi-Training Facility, 20 at the Caura Hospital, three at the St Ann’s Hospital and seven at the Scarborough Regional Hospital. There were also 12 patients in Step-down/Transition Facilities awaiting discharge; nine at UWI’s Debe campus and three in Tobago.

Meanwhile, the Scarborough Prison was placed on lockdown yesterday after an inmate tested positive for COVID-19.

County Medical Officer of Health Dr Tiffany Hoyte made the announcement at the THA Division of Health Wellness and Family Development’s news conference yesterday. Hoyte said all the inmates and prisons officers were being tested and treated accordingly.

There are currently 45 prisoners being housed at the Tobago Prison Facility.

To date, there have been a total of 1,209 samples submitted for testing in Tobago with 76 positive cases. There are currently 11 active cases and two deaths on the island.