Tobago ramps up covid19 community testing

Health, Wellness and Family Development Secretary Tracy Davidson-Celestine says Tobago has ramped up its community testing for covid19.

At Friday's virtual news conference at Scarborough Library, Davidson-Celestine said health officials have begun testing people in communities for the virus.

"What I want to communicate to you, members of the public, is that we have begun the process of community testing," she said.

"Our public health officials are out there in the communities, testing anyone and everyone who exhibit any traditional signs and symptoms of covid19 as well as persons displaying any unusual presentation, because over the last few week we have seen instances where there is evidence to suggest that even persons with strokes are likely to be tested for covid19."

Saying Tobago is preparing for a second wave of covid19, Davidson-Celestine said her division is committed to ensuring no one on the island has the virus.

"In Tobago and I am sure it's the same in Trinidad as well, we want to ensure that in our communities there is no one with covid19 and we have expanded the reach to ensure that we have more tests being done and to be comfortable that we have no covid19 in our communities out there in Tobago."

Davidson-Celestine urged Tobagonians to get tested if they believe they might have the virus.

"I encourage members of the communities to come forward for testing if you have displayed any signs and symptoms related to covid19 or even any unusual signs and symptoms."

She noted Tobago has not had any new or suspected cases for some time.

"I am pleased to say that, at this point, we have no new cases and that has been the situation for quite some time now and also to date, we have no suspected cases whether it be at the hospital or any of our quarantine and dedicated facilities here."

Davidson-Celestine noted that of the 131 tests submitted to Caribbean Public Health Agency, only five turned out positive for covid19.