According to reports, a cement truck overturned shortly before 6pm this evening (Saturday 21st May 2022) on the Southbound lane of the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway. The accident occurred under the Indian Trail Overpass, just after the Couva Multi-Training Facility and Hospital.

Rescue crews are on the scene and traffic has been backed up to Preysal heading South as of 6:30pm. Traffic is expected to be crawling until the area is cleared.

Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes.

There is no information at this time about what caused the cement truck to overturn, or whether anyone was seriously injured.

This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.

​[Source: Loop]

The Ministry of Health revealed in its daily COVID-19 update this afternoon (Saturday 21st May 2022) that there are 517 new COVID-19 cases in Trinidad and Tobago and zero (0) additional deaths. T&T’s total active positive cases is currently at 9,187.

​This is the fifth consecutive day in which cases have crossed 400. The number of new cases represents a 22.22% increase in reported cases from yesterday. The number of new deaths matches the lowest for the month (0 also on 6th May 2022).

There have been 10,013 new cases and sixty-one (61) deaths so far in the month of May.

The Ministry reported 423 new cases yesterday plus four (4) more unfortunate deaths. The country’s death toll remains at 3,890. As of 18th May 2022, 276 deaths were fully vaccinated persons while 3,217 deaths were not fully vaccinated. 390 deaths were recorded prior to 24th May 2021 (date at which the first group of vaccinated persons became fully vaccinated).

A total of 712,228 persons have been fully vaccinated, representing 50.9% of the population. Meanwhile, 687,772 persons are not fully vaccinated (only received a first dose or no doses), representing 49.1% of the population. 154,205 persons in total have taken a booster shot.

Based on data from 22nd July 2021 - 18th May 2022, 3,453 patients in the parallel healthcare system (Hospitals and step-down facilities) are fully vaccinated, representing 18.7%, while 15,046 are not fully vaccinated, representing 81.3%.

The Ministry states that the number of positive cases reported reflects the samples taken during a 4-day period between 17th - 20th May 2022 and not the last twenty-four (24) hours.

The Ministry also notes that there are currently 199 COVID-19 positive patients in total being treated at Hospitals and step-down facilities (down 1.97% from yesterday). Five (5) are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and five (5) are in the High Dependency Unit (HDU).

​This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.

A 21-year-old labourer accused of rape, false imprisonment and attempted grievous sexual assault, was granted $200,000 bail with surety, by Magistrate Brambhanan Dubay, in the Arima Magistrates’ Court on 17th May 2022. The matter is set for hearing on 14th June 2022.

Tyrese Stewart, also known as Santana, of Phase Seven, La Horquetta, was arrested and charged with the offences by WPC Fletcher Johnson on 16th May 2022.

According to a Police report, a 20-year-old woman visited the La Horquetta Police Station on 16th May 2022, and alleged that while at a friend’s house on that same date, a man locked her in a room and had sexual intercourse with her against her will.

An investigation was launched and Stewart was arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

A 43-year-old woman from Couva was al­leged­ly kid­napped on Thurs­day (19th May 2022) and a $3,000 ran­som de­mand­ed from her family for her safe re­turn. Ac­cord­ing to a Po­lice re­port, the woman con­tact­ed her rel­a­tives around 4pm, claim­ing that she was kid­napped by three (3) men and be­ing tak­en to an un­known lo­ca­tion.

At the time, she told relatives that from look­ing out of the win­dow of the car, she be­lieved she was some­where in Ari­ma. The rel­a­tives con­tact­ed Po­lice and Of­fi­cers from the Cen­tral Di­vi­sion and the North­ern Di­vi­sion re­spond­ed.

Road­blocks were set up in the Ari­ma com­mu­ni­ty, but the vic­tim was not lo­cat­ed. Po­lice said around 10pm rel­a­tives received an­oth­er call from the vic­tim, who was put on to talk to Po­lice. The woman al­leged that the men were de­mand­ing $3,000 for her safe re­turn and were threat­en­ing to kill her if the mon­ey was not paid.

The An­ti-Kid­nap­ping Unit has been con­tact­ed and is aid­ing with en­quiries into this incident.

Po­lice said they be­lieve that the ransom figure de­mand­ed matches the amount that a mem­ber of the vic­tim’s fam­i­ly owed a man for out­stand­ing work.

In­ves­ti­ga­tions are con­tin­u­ing.

This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.

​[Source: T&T Guardian]

The Ministry of Health revealed in its daily COVID-19 update this afternoon (Friday 20th May 2022) that there are 423 new COVID-19 cases in Trinidad and Tobago plus four (4) additional deaths. T&T’s total active positive cases is currently at 9,040.

​This is the fourth consecutive day in which cases have crossed 400. The number of new cases represents a 31% decrease in reported cases from yesterday. The number of new deaths matches the second highest for the month.

There have been 9,496 new cases and sixty-one (61) deaths so far in the month of May.

The Ministry reported 613 new cases yesterday plus three (3) more unfortunate deaths. The country’s death toll has increased to 3,890. As of 18th May 2022, 276 deaths were fully vaccinated persons while 3,217 deaths were not fully vaccinated. 390 deaths were recorded prior to 24th May 2021 (date at which the first group of vaccinated persons became fully vaccinated).

A total of 712,170 persons have been fully vaccinated, representing 50.9% of the population. Meanwhile, 687,830 persons are not fully vaccinated (only received a first dose or no doses), representing 49.1% of the population. 153,508 persons in total have taken a booster shot.

Based on data from 22nd July 2021 - 18th May 2022, 3,453 patients in the parallel healthcare system (Hospitals and step-down facilities) are fully vaccinated, representing 18.7%, while 15,046 are not fully vaccinated, representing 81.3%.

The Ministry states that the number of positive cases reported reflects the samples taken during a 4-day period between 16th - 19th May 2022 and not the last twenty-four (24) hours.

The Ministry also notes that there are currently 203 COVID-19 positive patients in total being treated at Hospitals and step-down facilities (down 0.49% from yesterday). Six (6) are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and six (6) are in the High Dependency Unit (HDU).

This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.

The Ministry of Health is advising the public of an emerging public health threat concerning the detection of cases of the Monkeypox virus (a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae) in several overseas territories. It should be noted that no suspected case(s) have been reported in Trinidad and Tobago at this time.

The Ministry says, in this regard, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh convened a meeting today (Friday 20th May 2022) to address reports of the detection of this virus. The following agencies and personnel were represented at the meeting:

Ministry of Health

• The Honourable Terrence Deyalsingh (Minister of Health)
• Dr. Roshan Parasram (Chief Medical Officer)
• Dr. Maryam Abdool-Richards (Principal Medical Officer - Institutions)
• Dr. Avery Hinds (Technical Director Epidemiology)
• Nurse Grace Sookchand (Manager Expanded Programme on Immunization)

PAHO

• Dr. Erica Wheeler (PAHO/WHO Country Representative for Trinidad and Tobago and the Dutch Kingdom Entities)

The Ministry is advising the public that the main symptoms of Monkeypox are fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The virus is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with contaminated material such as bedding. The virus may also be transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids and respiratory droplets.

​The public is further advised that “if you or anyone close to you, have had a recent travel history from any country where cases have been detected and are symptomatic, as described above, please visit your nearest health care provider.” For a full list of these countries, persons can visit the WHO website at www.who.int/emergencies/emergency-events/item/monkeypox.

The Ministry says the public will be kept abreast on any further developments regarding this emerging health threat as more information becomes available.

This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.