Rishard Khan
COVID-19 cases appear to be on the decline since December and the Ministry of Health is hoping this pattern establishes itself as a trend. However, according to the Ministry’s epidemiology division technical director, it’s too early yet to celebrate.
The principal medical officer of institutions Dr Maryam Abdool-Richards also noted a decrease in hospitalisations over the past 42 days, which has since plateaued over the last nine days at 53 to 55 percent.
However, she noted that while the overall occupancy has decreased, the number of patients warded in Intensive Care Units remain high.
The ICUs across both islands are at 71 percent occupancy; 73 percent in Trinidad and 53 in Tobago. She noted that the majority of patients remain those who aren’t fully vaccinated or unvaccinated, accounting for 85 percent. She said ambulance demand has also decreased to 30 percent, down from 47 percent in December. With physical school for standards 5 to forms 3 set to resume on Monday, Dr Abdool-Richards assured there are facilities in place to treat paediatric cases within the Parallel Healthcare System should there be any increase in infection with the move.
