– Principal Medical Officer of Institutions, Dr. Maryam Abdool-Richards in providing an update on COVID-19 in T&T, stated that the average number of daily positive cases has increased slightly and now stands at 215.
– Dr. Richards indicated that to date, there are 374 persons in the parallel health care system with 275 patients in hospital and 99 in Step-Down Facilities. Dr. Richards went on to share the Hospital occupancy levels, which are as follows:
Total Occupancy : 37%
Ward Level Occupancy : 37%
ICU Level Occupancy : 82%
HDU Level Occupancy : 20%
– Director of Women’s Health, Dr. Adesh Sirjusingh announced that to date, there are 383 pregnant women who contracted COVID-19. Dr. Sirjusingh indicated that this figure is alarming as it has increased by 68 in just one week. The doctor reminded the population that pregnant women are a high risk group for the virus and should get vaccinated once they are in their 2nd trimester and beyond.
– Dr. Sirjusingh assured concerned mothers to be, that there has been no adverse vaccination related outcomes recorded in pregnant women globally. Dr. Sirjusingh added that antibodies and not the vaccine itself, crosses the placenta and is excreted in breast milk, which is beneficial for the fetus/infant.