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Health officials reported that between January 2^nd and 9^th, there were 406 new cases and 8 deaths were reported in that same period due to COVID-19.

Professor of Molecular Genetics and Virology at UWI, Christine Carrington, also reported the presence of the new sub variant.

Principal Medical Officer Dr. Maryam Abdool-Richards also advised persons participating in Carnival activities to be “responsible” and to take the best measures to protect themselves.

During her presentation, she disclosed that there had been an increase in COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization since last month.

And Dr. Abdul- Richards also revealed that 2 minors are among the persons warded with virus.

The medical doctor assured there is capacity at the emergency departments and ambulance services are not overwhelmed but she called on persons not to be complacent with their health.

As of yesterday morning, there were 71 patients in the Parallel Health System, including 5 requiring intensive care and 2 pediatric cases.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley assures there is no need to change COVID-19 protocols, impose new restrictions, cancel carnival or close the country’s borders.

He says yes there have been increases in COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths but the population is now naturally immune.

At the first COVID media briefing in several months yesterday the Prime Minister sought to quell concerns about Carnival 2023.

However, he stressed the importance of personal responsibility.

But the Opposition United National Congress is not taking the words of the Prime Minister lying down.

At a media conference yesterday former Education Minister Dr. Tim Gopeesingh said a lockdown is coming.

Dr. Gopeesingh said things are not going well.

He also called on citizens yet to do so, to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

A threat of war if the government does not withdraw its nomination of Christine Kangaloo to be the next President of the Republic.

At a news conference yesterday Opposition Senator Wade Mark promised to fight and march to prevent Ms. Kangaloo being elected.

He said Ms. Kangaloo’s nomination is a very serious issue as she is an active Peoples National Movement politician by way of being a member of Parliament and Senate President.

Mr. Mark said if Ms. Kangaloo is elected President it would not only be a frontal attack on the constitution but an assault on the very democracy, rights and freedoms

Referring to the powers of the President in appointing members to commissions, including the Elections and Boundaries Commission and the Police Service Commission, Mr. Mark said every right-thinking citizen must be very concerned about the leader of the ruling PNM seeking to install a PNM member in the President’s House.

The Shadow Minister of Education slams the government on safety issues at schools.

Opposition Senator Anita Haynes says it is clear the Minister of Education is not in touch with reality.

She notes the many situations, which are now keeping some students from the classroom.

MS. Haynes is of the view government is the source of its own problems.

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She referred to a security issue at the St. Joseph Secondary School. 

The Opposition Senator adds its seems the basic functions are too much to ask for. 

Ms. Haynes was speaking at a news conference yesterday.  

Last week Newscenter 5 confirmed that the police have since beefed up foot and mobile patrols at the St Joseph Secondary School.

The Ministry of Education indicated last week that measures have been put in place to deal with the problems at the institution.

Hours before another area in the east became the scene of a double murder.

The deceased, Kamanni Cayonne and Anton John were said to be at a birthday celebration on Garcia Circular, Mt. Zion Road when their lives were taken by gun crime.

It is said shortly after 9pm men alighted a car, entered the yard of Mr. Cayonne and shot the two.

The fatal shootings occurred in the presence of family members, which included young children.

Another man was also wounded.

Head of the North Eastern Division, Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Wayne Mystar told Newscenter 5 some headway has already been made in this murder. 

Police say Mr. Cayonne was released from prison recently.

Police are investigating several gun related crimes including the killing of a 6-year-old girl.

Police say Kylie Maloney succumbed to her wounds after gunmen attacked her Blake Avenue, Sangre Grande home, during the early hours of yesterday morning. 

Kylie’s grandmother Tisha Maloney is said to be her primary care giver.

Ms. Maloney pleads with gunmen to leave children alone when they have conflicts.

It is said family members were asleep when men wearing camouflage attire entered the house and fired several shots.

Kevin Lucas was among those hit.

After the shooting he found 6-year-old Kylie Maloney, her mother 26-year-old Akela Maloney and 45-year-old Dexter Trotman nursing gunshot wounds.    

They were rushed to hospital but Kylie died while undergoing emergency treatment.

Ms. Maloney admitted she had some reservations regarding her granddaughter being taken to that area.

It was another bloody weekend which say the killing of 31-year-old David Hinds

Reports say Mr. Hinds was at Blake Avenue Guaico, at around 12:30pm last Friday when he was fatally shot.

Police are yet to say if the fatal shootings are connected but they have described the 2 incidents as gang related.  

A call for police officers to look inward for renewed energy in the New Year to continue the fight against crime.

The advice is coming from Father Peter Aduaka

Father Aduka was delivering the sermon at the Police Inter-Faith Service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Port of Spain.

The Cleric said this energy would indeed be needed, as in the first 8 days of 2023, at least 12 murders have been committed including the shooting death of a 6-year-old girl mere hours before.

Father Aduka also reminded officers that they are last bastion between the innocent and the lawless.

Several senior officers including AG Commissioner of Police Erla Christopher, Chief of Defense Staff, Air Vice Marshall Darryl Daniel, and Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds attended yesterday’s service.

Noting that last year ended with more than 600 murders a new record high, Father Aduaka told the gathering that introspection and communion with god are needed. He said without divine intervention, all other crime-fighting methods would be useless.

The Coast Guard tells the Commission of Enquiry into the February 25^th Paria tragedy its members could not rescue the men trapped in the pipeline.

Lieutenent Commander Michael Maharaj says Coast Guard officers are not trained or equipped to dive in confined spaces.

He was responding to questions by Counsel for the Commission Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj yesterday.

Mr. Maharaj was summoned to sit before the Commission.

He said he was not at the Point-a-Pierre facility on the day the accident occurred.

However, he said he was on site the following day after the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management contacted him.

Senior Counsel Maharaj then read from a statement from Paria’s Terminal Manager, Colin Piper and Mr. Maharaj regarding a meeting on the rescue efforts. 

Lieutenent Commander Maharaj denied it.

Chairman Jermome Lycnh King’s Counsel pressed him further.

He said at no time did he give any advice to Mr. Piper.

He said while he did meet with Mr. Piper the contents of his statement are inaccurate.

Acting Commissioner of Police Mc Donald Jacob confirms a man detained for murder is his nephew but the 2 are not close. 

The father of 3 was one of 2 men arrested yesterday mere moments after former police officer Sayed Mohammed was gunned down at the entrance of his home.

Reports say 46-year-old Mr. Mohammed was outside his Katwaroo Trace Penal home when 2 men open fire on him.

A short while later, Southern Division Officers stopped a vehicle and held 2 men including the Commissioner’s relative.

One of the suspects is said to be 33-years-old from Princes Town while the other is a 28-year-old from Orange Valley near Waterloo.

Police say a gun was seized.

In a social media post the Acting Commissioner who is on vacation yesterday confirmed that 1 of the men held is a relative.

He said the nephew was known to be involved in illicit activities since he was a teenager.

Mr. Jacob explained the relative has also been charged with several offences in the past.

The acting top cop made it clear that he did not socialise with him and they have no connection. Mr. Jacob noted that his nephew has a wife and is a father of 3 children