Even as calls increase for more local testing to be done to get a better idea of the state of the COVID-19’s spread across the country, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh says some 63 surveillance tests done for the virus have returned negative.
Two weeks ago, Deyalsingh had announced that one health centre in each county would be selected and anyone showing symptoms (coughing, sneezing, fever) would be tested in a plan to ramp up testing.
Speaking at yesterday’s virtual media briefing, Deyalsingh said, “What is really a significant development are the 63 surveillance tests that we have done since last week Tuesday to now, all negative.”
At the time of the briefing, it was also revealed that 37 people had been discharged to date, with nine of them being sent home on Tuesday. But the evening update, a total of 1449 samples had been tested and 115 had been positive. The death toll remains at eight.
Deyalsingh also said there was one suspected child case being housed at the Princess Elizabeth Centre.
Addressing the issue of possible community spread, Deyalsingh reiterated that it is still too early to say. He explained that it will only be determined by science and information from contact tracing.
As it relates to the regulations currently in place to prevent the spread of the virus, he said as we get closer to April 30 the CMO will be informing the Government on how we have conducted ourselves as a nation under the measures.
“I would like the Chief Medical Officer to give us a passing grade,” he said.
He admitted there were failures and gave the example of COVID-19 parties, but, expressed the hope that the country could get a “B plus” for its adherence to the regulations.