Ministry of Health's Virtual Media Conference - Monday 17th May 2021

Key Points from the Ministry of Health’s Virtual Media Conference on COVID-19 – Monday May 17th 2021:

• Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi attended today’s Virtual Media Conference to clarify matters surrounding the State of Emergency (SoE) and 9PM to 5AM curfew.

• The AG said the State of Emergency is built on managing the current Public Health issues as it relates to COVID-19. This follows increases in deaths and Positive cases in the last few weeks. The AG stated that members of the Police Service and the Defence Force will be out and about in the State of Emergency as both carry police powers at this time. The Regulations will permit them to engage citizens, within the parameters of the law, to ensure compliance. He urged the public to comply with the law, and directions of the TTPS and TTDF.

• Being out and about within the curfew hours is generally banned in most circumstances but the Commissioner of Police can give exceptions through Curfew Passes.

• On the issue of exercising outdoors, the AG explained that it is the congregation of people that is being managed. While exercise is important, the measure was taken to reduce the number of people in public. He recommended exercising at home for the time being as it will not be a long-lasting situation.

• AG Al-Rawi said the Regulations were very carefully drafted to manage a balance of rights and they are open to further restrictions and modifications. He urged people to be reasonable and not look for loopholes. He said, "This is not an opportunity for 'smartmanism' and 'smartwomanism.'"

• AG Al-Rawi insisted there was no "SoE Stumble" in rolling out the Regulations or unnecessary delay in issuing the Proclamation.

• Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh sought to clarify matters on the Pfizer and Sinopharm vaccines. On calls for the PM to have talks with Pfizer, the Health Minister said to do that would jeopardise the acquisition of vaccines. He said Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, as CARICOM Chair, has always lobbied for the region to get vaccines. T&T has been engaged in three initiatives - COVAX, the African Union/African Medicines Council, and bilateral talks – to secure vaccines.

• The Health Minister noted that vaccine supply is being outstripped by demand. This is mainly because of the health crisis in India, which has affected operations at the Serum Institute of India.

• Health Minister reiterated that the Vaccine Programme has not stopped and the second round of AstraZeneca vaccinations will begin on June 6th. The Health Minister said, "We are well within the parameters of the expiry date to guarantee those 60,000 people who got their first shot of AstraZeneca to now get their second shot to take them up to full immunity.”
Minister Deyalsingh said no private sector company in T&T is having talks with any vaccine manufacturer anywhere in the world.

• Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram is hopeful that T&T is at the peak of the third wave of COVID-19 infections, with a slowing/plateauing of cases in the coming days and weeks. He is hopeful the SoE measures will see a decrease in hospitalisations and T&T back on the path to normalcy.
T&T is on track to receive 100,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines from China this week. Dr. Parasram noted that there are two Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines in existence and T&T will be utilising the vaccine that was granted WHO Emergency Use Authorisation.

• The intended use of the Sinopharm vaccine in persons (by the WHO):
- Ages 18 years and older
- Ages 60 years and older
- Persons with co-morbidities who are identified as having an increased risk of severe COVID-19
- Pregnant and lactating women (T&T will not be utilising this at this time)
- Persons living with HIV
- Immuno-compromised persons

• The Sinopharm vaccine is stored at 2-8 degrees, and the second dose of the two-shot vaccine can be administered with an interval of 3-4 weeks (compared to 8-12 weeks with AstraZeneca).

• Principal Medical Officer, Dr. Maryam Abdool-Richards, confirmed that there are 20 confirmed COVID-19 cases at Ward 9, St. Ann's Hospital. They are being isolated and treated at the institute at this time but will be transferred if their condition deteriorates.

• Dr. Abdool-Richards stated that 10 beds were added to the UTT Valsayn Campus (step down facility) on Saturday, and 10 more beds are expected to be added today. She warned that bed capacity is not the answer since as fast as beds are allocated, they are being utilised.

• Here is a breakdown of the hospital occupancy level.
Caura: 86%
Augustus Long: 92%
Arima: 77%
Couva: 70%
St. Ann's: 100%
Tobago: 32%

• Here is a breakdown of occupancy at the Step Down Facilities:
UTT: 100%
Debe Campus: 74%
Point Fortin: 40%

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