Tobago has recorded 42 positive COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of active cases on the island to 132, the highest ever recorded since the pandemic began.
This is a complete contrast to yesterday’s report as 23 persons were discharged and only 3 new COVID-19 cases were recorded. Before today, the highest number of positive COVID-19 cases occurred in October 2020, when there was an outbreak at the Scarborough Prison. At that time, 24 cases were recorded, which included five prison officers and 13 prisoners.
The island also recorded one death in the last 24 hours, a 75-year-old woman with comorbidities, bringing the island’s total death count to seven.
Only last week, TRHA officials expressed concern as the number of positive cases almost doubled over the course of one week. It was announced that operations at Scarborough General Hospital would be reduced, and more bed space also would be added to treat with the steady increase in cases.
Medical Chief of staff at the Scarborough General Hospital, Dr Victor Wheeler, said services at the hospital would be “deferred to reduce the flow of persons coming to the hospital”.
“So that we have deferred the outpatient clinics and we have actually only emergency surgeries, and the Accident and Emergency is still functioning,” Dr Wheeler told Guardian Media.
Secretary for Health, Wellness and Family Development, Tracy Davidson Celestine, recently announced that 40 beds also would be added to the healthcare facilities to increase the island’s capacity.
