BROOKLYN,NY – Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley Tuesday night indicated that a member of his Cabinet has tested positive for COVID-19.
Speaking at a virtual public meeting of the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM), he said the government minister and their entire family are now isolated.
“Today, one of my Cabinet colleagues isolated for COVID. The whole family is now isolated. COVID is still with us,” he said, although he did not disclose the identity of the minister.
Prime Minister Rowley mentioned the development as he reiterated the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic across the region. However, he told residents of the twin-island nation that “even in our situation, we are a whole lot better than very many people that we know.”
He said other region countries had it even worse, as he had realized on Monday during an emergency Caribbean Community (CARICOM) meeting to discuss the regional response to the recent surge in COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths.
It was reported that more than 100,000 new cases and 1400 deaths had been recorded between July and September 12, 2021.
“Very many CARICOM leaders reported on the state of affairs in their countries. In fact, in some situations, the presentations were that their very existence and their security are threatened, and they needed help,” the Prime Minister reported.
Dr. Rowley, who served as CARICOM Chairman for the first half of 2021, added: “I was there from January to July, and I knew at that time that we were in big trouble, but the report on Monday was that the trouble was here because even countries that thought they had control of the situation inside a fortnight realized that they’d lost control of the situation.”
He said a significant step towards dealing with the pandemic would be made next week when United States President Joseph Biden hosts a meeting of world leaders, which CARICOM, under Dr. Rowley’s leadership, had asked for since March, to address vaccine availability and other COVID-19 matters.
Prime Minister Rowley said preparations for that meeting began on Tuesday.
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