CMO: Reporting takes place within 48 hours

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Roshan Parasram says reporting of events such as positive cases of covid19 to the World Health Organisation has to take place within 48 hours of the event and has to fall within certain criteria.

He said he is the TT International Health Regulations national focal point and would report directly to the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). He said he has done so on many occasions thus far, and should any other events occur he would report these within 48 hours.

With respect to the private health laboratories which are seeking certification to carry out covid19 testing, Parasram said one of the three labs was not yet able to receive the testing panel and had been given more time to be ready, while the other two had received their testing panels. He said he was awaiting a formal report from the Caribbean Public Health Agency on the matter.