TWO people have died from the influenza A/H1N1 virus, while another death is still being investigated, Minister of Health Jerry Narace said yesterday.
Despite the deaths, however, Narace insists that there is still no reason for members of the public to panic over the swine flu virus because their surveillance system is working and there are no gaps in it.
At a news conference at the ministry’s Port of Spain head office yesterday, however, Narace refused to say if the virus was back with a vengeance, and instead insisted that all protocols were followed in the clinical management of the patients. In fact, he said they were in the process of auditing all the swine-flu-related deaths, which, he confirmed, all occurred at the San Fernando General Hospital less than 24 hours after the patients were admitted.
’These individuals came into the hospital quite ill, in respiratory distress, one of them quite late in the course of his illness, while the other came from a private institution. It also appears that there were other underlying risk factors,’ Narace said.
’The investigations are ongoing and a team of ministry officials are working alongside the health care professionals at the SWRHA (South West Regional Health Authority) to ensure that we fully and accurately, assess the situation and respond appropriately.’
The family of the victims will also be screened, he said. The minister refused to say what the underlying conditions of the two confirmed deaths were, but Pan America Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation representative, Dr Carol Boyd-Scobie, said there was a long list of risk factors. She said people with HIV/AIDS and those who were obese were found to be more vulnerable to the virus, adding people also needed to be more careful and practice proper hygiene.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Anton Cumberbatch, added, ’From the start of the swine flu pandemic...we knew we were not going to be immune from it in this country, so we have always been saying and insisting that serious attention be paid to influenza A/H1N1 prevention and treatment because this virus can be deadly.’
Executive Medical Director of Health at the SWRHA, Dr Albert Persaud, said all precautions were being taken to look after the welfare of their health professionals.
’They were sensitised this morning and masks and personal wear are also being distributed ... and it was directed that all health professionals are to wear gear that prevents exposure to our patients,’ he said.
Narace added that the ministry was going to get 260,000 doses of the swine flu vaccine by mid-November, so there was no need to be concerned about whether the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting or Carnival 2010 would have to be cancelled.
Yes, "no cause for panic", why should we panic? they have "everything" under control, as usual, if so, then PLEASE tel me WHY are people still falling victims of everything possible in Trinidad, be it, A/H1N1, dengue just to name a few.
Oh I get, it's the so-called government in charge, they have the world under control. May the good Lord help us all in the land of hell.
I was saddened to hear about the deaths of two people, perhaps three as a result of the H1N1 virus. However, there is a virus that is plaguing our country and has been for some time that is worse than the H1N1 - they are called criminals. They are killing far more people at an alarming rate than the H1N1 virus.... we should be afraid, very afraid. I am not afraid of the H1N1 virus as I am doing everything in my power to stay healthy and following the guidelines. The criminals on the other hand is another story. I do not know when they are going attack and I just do not feel safe. My condolences and prayers go out to the families of the deceased.
Maraval Mum
"their surveillance system is working and there are no gaps in it." you guys forget that we are living here a very long tome now and we know better than that....who u really trying to fool!!
Ah! How soon we forget, the dengue fiasco, thinks Narace. Jerry Narace probably got, or intends to get his H1N1 shot already. Is we poor people have to worry, cause if you think he has a stockpile of vaccine waiting for you people in Trinidad. forget it.
Wow! What a relief, Jerry Narace has everything under control. He is expected to get 260K doses of H1N1 Influenza vaccines by mid-November, assuming November 2009. Is he even aware of what the proportion of 260,000 is, to the current population of Trinidad today. This is how the Health Minister prepares, for what the real world is calling a potential pandemic, we are in big trouble here with Jerry Narace at the helm
It is not a question of don't panic, it is a question of the PNM government's history of dubious preparedness, is what causes a panic. There were a lot of painful memories for many families, from Jerry Narace's temporary denial, if so to speak, with regards to the last dengue fiasco, under his watch. Therefore, you will have to pardon concerned citizens, if they are skeptical about the fact that vaccines are on the way. Too besides, Jerry Narace mentioning that only 260,000 vaccines are on the way, by mid November, is not exactly re-assuring, unless he is trying to cause a separate pandemic, where people start getting hostile, to get their H1N1 vaccine. Considering we will probably not have enough to meet the demand of the entire population
When a lot of people are dead, then you going to get the medicine. Why is there not some sort of stockpile of the medicine in Trinidad? Could the government buy atleast some dosages of the medicine. Narace, if one of your relatives or someone close to you died of this virus, I wonder if you would be saying don't panic, every thing going to be all right. Narace thinking about common wealth leaders, and he has forgotten about the locals who are at risk at the moment. Your got your priority wrong Narace, the people of T. and T. come first, they are the ones you should be thinking of protecting.
Mr Narace..I wonder if two of your family members had died..would you still think there is no need to panic? I think you are very insensitive to the loss of these victims. You should apologize.. Thank You.
Based on the actions so far from our esteemed health minister, Jerry Narace, it appears that he does not have a concrete plan, to help alleviate the potential for an outbreak. All of the developed nations around the world, see fit to stock up a much larger inventory of H1N1 vaccines, but for some reason, a smaller nation like Trinidad is an exception to that from a nonchalant PNM government
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