Tobago marks deadliest day as COVID fatalities pass 200

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Tobago has recorded its deadliest day of the pandemic to date with six fatalities being recorded over the past 24 hours.

According to the Division of Health, Wellness and Social Protection, the deaths were among four males ages 61, 74, 78 and 81 along with two females ages 47 and 91.

All fatalities had comorbidities and brought the death toll on the island up to 201.

The Division’s Secretary, Dr Faith B.Yisrael expressed her condolences on the passings and warned the island’s limited resources put them in a dangerous situation.

“To date, Tobago has recorded 201 COVID-19 related deaths. This represents a case fatality rate (number of deaths/number of positive cases) of 3.43 per cent. In comparison, Trinidad and Tobago’s case fatality rate is 3.13 per cent. Unfortunately, Tobago’s small size, our location as an island, and our limited medical resources (one functioning hospital and exhausted medical staff) puts us in a very dangerous situation,” she said in a release.

“Our five-bed ICU is filled and overflowing. We’ve had to make additional provisions to treat our loved ones who have died with dignity. We continue to hear the public complaints about individuals trying to receive medical, non-COVID-19 related care, but are unable to do so because our system is overwhelmed.”

She called on everyone to be responsible as the new year begins.

“All estimates show that for another year or so, COVID-19 will still be with us. It will therefore be critically important that we collectively and individually do all that we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones,” she said.

Meanwhile, a young adult male was among 31 COVID-19 positive people who died yesterday bringing the country’s overall toll up to 2,914.

According to the ministry’s daily update, the other fatalities were ten elderly males, 11 elderly females, five middle-aged males, and four middle-aged females.

“The comorbidities present in the deceased today include: Diabetes, Hypertension, Kidney Disease, Obesity, Asthma, Cancer, Anemia, and a history of Strokes. 21 persons had multiple comorbidities, six persons each had one comorbidity and four persons had no known medical conditions,” the release said.

The ministry also recorded 458 new cases from samples collected between Thursday and Saturday. Active cases now stand at 15,479.

There were 296 people who were deemed to have recovered and been released from under the ministry’s care.