Tobago babies aged 5, 6 months test positive for covid19

Dr Joanne Paul, head of the Paediatric Emergency Department, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, said a five-month-old and a six-month-old child have tested positive for covid19 in Tobago. But she said they are doing well.

She was responding to questions from Newsday during the Health Ministry’s virtual press conference on Wednesday morning.

Last week, Dr Michelle Trotman, head of thoracic care at the Caura Hospital, had said three children were at Couva Hospital suffering from multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).

While this syndrome is uncommon, symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, rash, red eyes, red tongue, and red lips.

Paul said there are four children with MIS-C in hospital who also tested positive for the covid19 virus. She said they are in stable condition.

She reminded, “But remember, with MIS-C, it’s the inflammatory aspect, so therefore, it (occurs) after. So they may not be positive with covid19.

“So we have had a few of them who have been negative with covid19, but serology has been positive. So the antibodies have been there. The tests have been done. But they have shown signs of MIS-C.”

She said a total of 20 children have contracted MIS-C thus far, ranging in age from six to 14. There have been no mortalities in this group.

Asked by Newsday how children with covid19 who do not have MIS-C are doing, Paul said they are showing very mild symptoms, adding that the two infants from Tobago are “totally well and we’re quite happy with their progress so far.”