The Ministry of Health has warned that although the World Health Organisation has declared the end of the COVID-19 global pandemic, “the transmission continues to be classified as community in nature” in T&T.
At the 15th meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee, held on Thursday, regarding the COVID-19 disease, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of WHO, concurred with the advice of the Committee and determined that COVID-19 is now an established and ongoing health issue, which no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
However a Health Ministry statement said: “In Trinidad and Tobago COVID-19 continues to circulate at a very low level.”
It added, “Morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 has been on a downward trend, in keeping with the global epidemiology picture over the last few months. As such, the Ministry of Health takes the opportunity to remind the public, particularly the vulnerable amongst us (those with chronic diseases, pregnant patients and the unvaccinated) to continue to maintain the principles and practice of good hygiene, such as hand washing, social distancing and wearing of masks where appropriate. The Ministry also encourages the unvaccinated to get vaccinated and those who are vaccinated to get boosted.”
The ministry says the current vaccine stock expires in June 2023.