Tobago prisoner tests positive for covid19

A Tobago prisoner has tested positive for covid19.

Country Medical Officer Dr Tiffany Hoyte made the announcement during the Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development press conference on Tuesday. The inmate received the result on Tuesday.

Hoyte said the prisoner became ill at the Tobago Convict Prison in Scarborough and was taken to the Scarborough General Hospital, where he was swabbed. She said the prison is on lockdown and prison officers and inmates are being tested.

Hoyte acknowledged the situation at the Tobago prison is “not ideal," as there is overcrowding from time to time.

“We have proactively started at looking at solving this,” she said.

The island now has 76 covid19 cases with 11 active cases. A total of 63 people have been discharged. The number of samples tested in Tobago is 1,209.