COVID-19 in Trinidad & Tobago (Local Updates & Discussions Only)

[adnj]

The only campaigning that I saw were a few cars rolling down the avenue with their little flags hanging out, following the music truck.

I did mention before that I saw a campaign walk for Terrence Deyalsingh and 90% of the people were unmasked while walking.

Then blame the minister of health and petition to replace him for plain poor judgment. Just post the videos and call the Express.

[ST Auto]

You all know it actually have ppl saying cases reducing rapidly an that we may be covid free soon. idk if ppl have no common sense na

[tropi_flakes]

So update, I did the test in a health center this morning, process was quick and the test itself wasn't that bad tbh. One small problem I had tho was a member of staff basically trying to force me to go privately and do the test, the man asked me about 5 times while explaining the benefits of doing it private.They gave me a sick leave for 14 days and a document to sign stating I could get fined or charged if I leave my home. All in all good work done by the staff at that institution. Only way I see a reason to run and pay all that money privately is to get quick results, but even if it comes back positive you still gotta go in a state public institution....

[ST Auto]

Glad to know it was hassle free. Keep up update with how long you take to get the results. Hoping for the best

So update, I did the test in a health center this morning, process was quick and the test itself wasn't that bad tbh. One small problem I had tho was a member of staff basically trying to force me to go privately and do the test, the man asked me about 5 times while explaining the benefits of doing it private.They gave me a sick leave for 14 days and a document to sign stating I could get fined or charged if I leave my home. All in all good work done by the staff at that institution. Only way I see a reason to run and pay all that money privately is to get quick results, but even if it comes back positive you still gotta go in a state public institution....

[ST Auto]

By chance did you have symptoms?

So update, I did the test in a health center this morning, process was quick and the test itself wasn't that bad tbh. One small problem I had tho was a member of staff basically trying to force me to go privately and do the test, the man asked me about 5 times while explaining the benefits of doing it private.They gave me a sick leave for 14 days and a document to sign stating I could get fined or charged if I leave my home. All in all good work done by the staff at that institution. Only way I see a reason to run and pay all that money privately is to get quick results, but even if it comes back positive you still gotta go in a state public institution....

[redmanjp]

August 18th, 2020
MEDIA RELEASE

7 Charged with Breaching Covid-19 Regulations

Seven persons are expected to appear virtually before a Siparia Magistrate today, charged with breaching the Covid-19 Regulations.

The accused; GARNET PERSAD, 66, DAVE JASSANT, 28, SURESH RAMSAWAK, 49, RAMRAJ JASSAN, 41, HARRY RAMPERSADSINGH, 36 and RIAZODEEN KARIM, 51, all of the Penal district, were arrested by officers of the Penal Police Station, for breaching Regulation 2(a) of the Public Health Ordinance Regulations - gathering in a public place where the number of persons exceeded five.

Meanwhile, PREMCHAN SEERATTAN, 55, also of Penal, was charged with conducting the business of a bar during the specified period and providing the amenity of seated accommodation at a restaurant and bar to customers during the specified period.

They were held during an anti-crime exercise conducted in the district around 10 am on Monday 17th August, 2020.

Based on information received, officers proceeded to a restaurant and bar located at Goodman Trace Junction, Penal Rock Road, Penal, where they observed a number of persons seated within the premises consuming alcoholic beverages.

The seven men were arrested in connection with the breach.

Charges were laid by Sgt. Siew, of the Penal Police Station, on Monday 17th August, 2020.

SEE ACCOMPANYING PHOTOS

Corporate Communications Unit
August 18th, 2020
END

[tropi_flakes]

Only thing I have was body pains, and a slight cough that's now gone. Reasons I went for the test tho is just to safeguard my family by knowing my status and also my job required me go get a test before I'm free to work again due to the fact that I deal with the public 6 days a week

[matr1x]

Dem men real dotish.



Dey ent know that police going around those areas?


Police not touching 1% areas at all.

[pugboy]

u mean ddi

Dem men real dotish.



Dey ent know that police going around those areas?


Police not touching 1% areas at all.

[Dohplaydat]

As soon as the first unknown source of Covid arose, we should have had an immediate lockdown. Especially given all the election action. All campaigning should have stopped. Both parties are to blame but if the ruling party doesn't then that obviously puts the opposition in a predicament. But still both are to blame.

The government wanted to give the impression everything was still under control.

We the people aren't the only ones to blame. And secondly, blaming people for getting sick isn't right. Many people can be obeying the rules and get it from an mild of asymptomatic or person who isn't wearing a mask.

Remember masks don't work well in preventing you from getting it, it prevents you from spreading it.

The inconsistent mixed messaging enabled people to put their guards down..... And this is our situation now.

This wasn't February and March when things were new. We should have learned from others and not make the same mistakes. Especially the mistakes made by the US.

July 21st almost a month ago we had our first case. Now 4 weeks late we've had 450+.

This overdue lockdown will help, but I can almost assuredly tell you the actual cases are a lot more and will still continue to grow.

I don't think economically we can maintain a lockdown till the vaccine is out so we may have to go the route of Sweden for the next few months after these 28 days or so.

I figure the goal right now is solely but to overload the health care system.

Good luck to us all.

Thats foolsih. So you lockdown everytine their is a little jump in numbers. You do that till when? Till they find a cure for the virus? And till the cure is circulated to about 70 per cent of the population? Keeping in mind we don't know when that will happen. How much of that vaccine will be available for third worlders like us. How much it will cost (and if we have the money for it). How much of us can afford it and even if so how much of us will take it (cause i sure my arse aint the only person who aint taking no experimental drug). After all them lockdowns what gah be the state of tnt? Ya'll think ot so simple eh. Don't have a clue about how difficult this situation is. Imo government should just let us live with this. Cause eventually the fiscal space that allows us to proceed on lockdowns will soon be erased (debt to gsp is close to 80 per cent for example). Imo they just prolonging the inevitable. Deaths and infections are going to happen people. Just accept the reality of the situation. You can only rum away from it for so long

You lockdown or put some mitigation factors in place when you see cases increasing. You do realize we lockdown right now? Are you calling your government foolish? It was irresponsible to not lockdown sooner, that was my point.

[shake d livin wake d dead]

Yuh only seeing whiteoak and puncheon on them men face

[nemisis]

Which worst the zesser party that get breakup of these persons breaking quarantine? Because online conversations about this seems tame in comparison. I wonder why....

[Rajeevr84]

You should update the phases, and do a proper citation of the model you're using (eg Guidotti et al.).

I made an SIR Modeling tool for Trinidad some months ago. It's meant to be used as a guide for Lockdown removals so that we could manage the outbreak.

https://rajeev-ratan.shinyapps.io/Trinidad_Covid19_SIR/







This is in NO WAY meant to be an accurate prediction. It's best interpreted as a guide as to viral spread using standard Epidemiology models. There are way too many variables to get this right as people's behaviors and government responses contionusly change.

I haven't updated this tool in a while, death rates are definitely over estimated here based on the latest figures it will be maybe 20-30% of what I'm predicting.

The model is just the ordinary SIR model.

I made this tool as I couldn't find any existing Epidemiology SIR model that allowed for changing Rnaugths at different points in time.

When I originally built this months ago, it was strictly to be used as an guide for what to expect when Lockdowns were removed. I know some Guyanese and Haitian officials used it, so I hope it was useful.

It's purely a speculative tool and I do probably need to update it with the current phases, however because we've had so many changes in phases over the last few months and I really have no empirical evidence as to how they affected the Rnaughts, it might not be worth the time.

Anyway, I've produced some simulations as to what we can expect locally.


What to Expect with the new Lockdown Measures? (assuming they are effective in reducing the Rnaught)





I imagine our state Epidemioligsts will have much more accurate and advanced models.

[elec2020]

As soon as the first unknown source of Covid arose, we should have had an immediate lockdown. Especially given all the election action. All campaigning should have stopped. Both parties are to blame but if the ruling party doesn't then that obviously puts the opposition in a predicament. But still both are to blame.

The government wanted to give the impression everything was still under control.

We the people aren't the only ones to blame. And secondly, blaming people for getting sick isn't right. Many people can be obeying the rules and get it from an mild of asymptomatic or person who isn't wearing a mask.

Remember masks don't work well in preventing you from getting it, it prevents you from spreading it.

The inconsistent mixed messaging enabled people to put their guards down..... And this is our situation now.

This wasn't February and March when things were new. We should have learned from others and not make the same mistakes. Especially the mistakes made by the US.

July 21st almost a month ago we had our first case. Now 4 weeks late we've had 450+.

This overdue lockdown will help, but I can almost assuredly tell you the actual cases are a lot more and will still continue to grow.

I don't think economically we can maintain a lockdown till the vaccine is out so we may have to go the route of Sweden for the next few months after these 28 days or so.

I figure the goal right now is solely but to overload the health care system.

Good luck to us all.

Thats foolsih. So you lockdown everytine their is a little jump in numbers. You do that till when? Till they find a cure for the virus? And till the cure is circulated to about 70 per cent of the population? Keeping in mind we don't know when that will happen. How much of that vaccine will be available for third worlders like us. How much it will cost (and if we have the money for it). How much of us can afford it and even if so how much of us will take it (cause i sure my arse aint the only person who aint taking no experimental drug). After all them lockdowns what gah be the state of tnt? Ya'll think ot so simple eh. Don't have a clue about how difficult this situation is. Imo government should just let us live with this. Cause eventually the fiscal space that allows us to proceed on lockdowns will soon be erased (debt to gsp is close to 80 per cent for example). Imo they just prolonging the inevitable. Deaths and infections are going to happen people. Just accept the reality of the situation. You can only rum away from it for so long

You lockdown or put some mitigation factors in place when you see cases increasing. You do realize we lockdown right now? Are you calling your government foolish? It was irresponsible to not lockdown sooner, that was my point.

My argument is for the removal of lockdowns alltogether as eventually u will reach this position (given that debt to gdp is close to 80 per cent) imo u delaying the inevitable. And its not my government. Its ours. As indicated by the voice of the people.

[Dohplaydat]

U do realize without some form of lockdowns, this thing will get massively out of control and people will die?

[Chimera]

I realize that supposedly educated adults don't care about themselves or their children. Let them get sick and die yes

[zoom rader]

I realize that supposedly educated adults don't care about themselves or their children. Let them get sick and die yes

Stupid country filled with stupid people bro

[goalpost]

Do ppl not realize that without a full lockdown we in major major problems?

[ST Auto]

An why are we in problems? Because we the people of this country can't do the correct thing.

Do ppl not realize that without a full lockdown we in major major problems?

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

The purpose of the lockdowns is to slow the spread and mitigate its effects.
Without lockdowns and mandatory measures the infection rate will be too high and it will overwhelm the healthcare system.
Which means that if you get into an accident or get sick from something else there will be no hospital facility available to treat you.
We are not under total lockdown and people are being asked to be responsible and cautious to prevent the spread without totally stopping the economy.
If our population were responsible and followed the guidelines then there would be no need for any lockdown, like in Singapore, but Sunday proved that we are incapable of operating like that and need to be force into compliance.

[pugboy]

Aka flattenthecurve
Unfortunately our curve vertical now.

The purpose of the lockdowns is to slow the spread and mitigate its effects.
Without lockdowns and mandatory measures the infection rate will be too high and it will overwhelm the healthcare system.
Which means that if you get into an accident or get sick from something else there will be no hospital facility available to treat you.
We are not under total lockdown and people are being asked to be responsible and cautious to prevent the spread without totally stopping the economy.
If our population were responsible and followed the guidelines then there would be no need for any lockdown, like in Singapore, but Sunday proved that we are incapable of operating like that and need to be force into compliance.

[elec2020]

Nice point by duane. I correct my position on the lockdowns.

[Penguin]

What to Expect with the new Lockdown Measures? [/b](assuming they are effective in reducing the Rnaught)





I imagine our state Epidemioligsts will have much more accurate and advanced models.

These graphs do show a slow down in spread due to the lockdown, at least that's what's expected?

Can you make a projection if there was no lockdown frpm August 17th?

[bluefete]

The purpose of the lockdowns is to slow the spread and mitigate its effects.
Without lockdowns and mandatory measures the infection rate will be too high and it will overwhelm the healthcare system.
Which means that if you get into an accident or get sick from something else there will be no hospital facility available to treat you.
We are not under total lockdown and people are being asked to be responsible and cautious to prevent the spread without totally stopping the economy.
If our population were responsible and followed the guidelines then there would be no need for any lockdown, like in Singapore, but Sunday proved that we are incapable of operating like that and need to be force into compliance.

MaxP has been saying this over and over and over for months!!!!!

[elec2020]

What to Expect with the new Lockdown Measures? [/b](assuming they are effective in reducing the Rnaught)





I imagine our state Epidemioligsts will have much more accurate and advanced models.

These graphs do show a slow down in spread due to the lockdown, at least that's what's expected?

Can you make a projection if there was no lockdown frpm August 17th?

Too early to predict a slowdown. We haven't experienced the post election campaigning numbers yet

[bluefete]

How does the government know which sectors to close down?

Do they have evidence that Covid is being spread more from bars than from groceries?

[pugboy]

Well at least in a grocery everybody wears a mask supposedly
Whilst in a bar nobody is and everyone in close static contact talking to each other

How does the government know which sectors to close down?

Do they have evidence that Covid is being spread more from bars than from groceries?

[bluefete]

Well at least in a grocery everybody wears a mask supposedly
Whilst in a bar nobody is and everyone in close static contact talking to each other

How does the government know which sectors to close down?

Do they have evidence that Covid is being spread more from bars than from groceries?

Thanks. It would be interesting to see evidence though.

Easy to understand why they close beaches.

[redmanjp]

internationally bars are seen as high risk- no doubt part of that is because u can't wear a mask and drink- same for dining in a restaurant. also groceries are an essential service- can't starve ppl for weeks.

[adnj]

Well at least in a grocery everybody wears a mask supposedly
Whilst in a bar nobody is and everyone in close static contact talking to each other

How does the government know which sectors to close down?

Do they have evidence that Covid is being spread more from bars than from groceries?

Thanks. It would be interesting to see evidence though.

Easy to understand why they close beaches.

https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patien ... 19-covid19