(Trinidad Express) Trinidad and Tobago is now “in the grips” of its third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, with the battle continuing against the super-infectious Delta variant.
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh confirmed yesterday that the Ministry’s pandemic medical team gave notice that the third wave of the virus was underway.
Speaking at the Ministry’s virtual Covid-19 press conference, Deyalsingh said “given where this wave could take us” the Ministry will take up direct management of the Covid-19 emergency operations centres (EOCs).
The centres connected to the five regional health authorities (RHAs) will now be coordinated from the ministry, he said.
The approach facilitates greater cooperation between non-State and State agencies and allows for “scarce” resources to be found and managed, he added.
The effort will be managed by the Minister and Patti-Ann Williams and the EOCs will serve a central role in managing the new wave.
This coordination has already led to the Covid-19 Intensive Care Units (ICUs) being increased by 13 beds, Deyalsingh said.
“This is a useful tool in an emergency or crisis, whether it’s a disaster in the form of a natural event like a hurricane or earthquake, where you’re managing a mass casualty event,” he said.
