Thirty-five people who interacted with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley while he was in Tobago are in self-quarantine and are considered to be his primary and secondary contacts after he tested positive for COVID-19 on April 6.
The information was revealed yesterday by Tobago’s County Medical Officer of Health (Ag.) Dr Tiffany Hoyte, at the Tobago health update media briefing.
Citing scientific data, Dr Hoyte said Dr Rowley could have only infected people he associated with while in Tobago.
“All contacts during the period when the honourable Prime Minister would have been considered infectious would have been within Tobago, given the time when symptoms develop. But some of those persons would have been here in Tobago and then returned home to Trinidad,” Dr Hoyte said.
She added: “So concerning the persons who are in Tobago, we would have had a total of 35 contacts here. Those persons have been tested, and the majority of the results have been received, and they are negative. Some persons still have results pending, and persons continue to be followed up.”
Dr Hoyte continued: “Remember the incubation period is 14 days, so although persons test negative now, we follow them up to see if they develop symptoms during the incubation period and if they develop symptoms, those persons will be retested.”
Health, Wellness, and Family Development Secretary Tracy Davidson -Celestine, who was also at the press briefing, said Dr Rowley is doing well.
“ The Prime Minister is very well, he is in very good spirits. From all indications, he is up and about and is doing well.”
After the initial positive test for COVID, Dr Rowley tested again for COVID-19 on April 12. According to a release from his office, Dr Rowley still has the virus and is under the medical care of a team of officials from Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA).
He remains under quarantine at the Prime Minister’s official residence- Blenheim, Tobago, the release said.
On April 7, he underwent a CT Scan at the Scarborough Hospital for his lungs.
The next day he held a virtual Cabinet media briefing and has engaged in several virtual meetings since his diagnosis.