Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said the confirmation of TT’s first case of the UK variant of COVID-19 puts a “greater onus” on citizens to follow health protocols.
Speaking to reporters following the A.P.T James’ maiden voyage to Tobago on Thursday, Rowley said it should be regarded as a reminder that the pandemic is a difficult situation that is not getting better.
He noted that the virus, according to research, is transmitted more easily that other variants.
To those who have been flouting the Covid19 regulations, Rowley said “If you were skylarking with the mask, if you were skylarking with social distancing, if you were skylarking because you have to party, just understand that it is easier now to be infected.”
Rowley said he has been worried from day one of the pandemic and begged people to adhere to the public health protocols in place.
In a release yesterday, the Ministry of Health confirmed the mutant strain was found in a repatriated national.
“The patient is a returned national who travelled from the United Kingdom. As per existing quarantine protocols, the national provided a negative PCR test which was taken 72-hours prior to departure from the United Kingdom. Upon arrival in Trinidad and Tobago, the national was immediately placed in state quarantine, in a single room,” the release said.
“The patient was transferred directly to an isolation area at the Couva Hospital and Multi-training Facility once the positive COVID-19 result was confirmed.”
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