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Another 5 persons have died from COVID-19 bringing the total number of deaths to date to 3,792.

The Ministry of Health says the deceased 3 elderly males, and 2 elderly females.

It says 4 of the persons had multiple comorbidities, while one person had one comorbidity.

The Ministry is also reporting 374 new infections.

Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh is pleading with residents of county Caroni and Victoria to maintain COVID-19 protocols during the upcoming Easter long weekend.

Minister Deyalsingh singled out the communities saying they continue to lead with the highest concentration of COVID-19 cases in the country.

Minister Deyalsingh made the statement during the Ministry’s COVID-19 media briefing yesterday.

He also warned the wider public to be vigilant saying people need to be more aware of their actions.

The Health Minister said while measures have been lifted, it is important to remember the virus is still active and some countries are still seeing record numbers.

A warning to the public take precaution as the air quality levels around the Beetham Landfill has deteriorated.

The situation stems from fires, which started last Wednesday and continued the following day.

The blaze filled the atmosphere over the Beetham, Sea Lots and parts of Port of Spain with thick plumes of smoke.

On Monday night the Environmental Management Authority said there was an improvement in the air quality.

However, in a statement issued yesterday, the EMA says, the air quality level was now hazardous.

The quality was recorded at the EMA’s Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station, which is located at Beetham, Port of Spain at 8:30am yesterday.

It says all persons in the vicinity; particularly the elderly, children, and those with respiratory ailments require extreme caution.

The EMA says the high reading is due primarily to the smoke and particulate matter being emitted from the Beetham Landfill.

In its statement, the EMA says it has advised all relevant agencies about the air quality situation, including the Ministry of Health.

It says the EMA continues to liaise closely with partner agencies, such as SWMCOL to obtain status updates on the issue.

Meanwhile, MP for the area Fitzgerald Hinds says it is no question that the situation is affecting his constituents at Beetham Gardens.

He says the air quality in the area has been a source of concern to him for years now.

The MP says the time has come for the Beetham Landfill to be relocated.

Nevertheless, the MP for Laventille west is calling on his constituents to wear masks to protect their health.

The police are investigating another murder.

Investigators are yet to ascertain a motive for the killing of Pastor Kerwin Davis.

Pastor Davis was shot dead at Jack Street Marabella shortly before 9pm on Monday.

The 42-year-old Evangelist of Plaissance Park, Claxton Bay had just officiated at a 40-day prayer service for his father Anthony Davis.

Reports are that the preacher, his mother and sister were seated in the car, about to drive out of the area, when a man walked up to them and opened fire.

The Cleric was hit several times in the upper body.

After he was hit the vehicle crashed into a drain.

Pastor Davis died at the scene.

His sister is said to have been grazed by a bullet.

Relatives say nothing was taken so they do not believe it was a robbery.

Pastor Davis’ brother Otis Pierre is reported as saying he had no enemies so a motive has not been determined.

Twenty-four hours after he was reported missing by relatives, coconut vendor Amar Mohammed is found dead.

Relatives found his body on Tuesday in a track near the Manzanilla coast line.

His hands and feet were bound with straps and his body bore bruises.

It is also believed he was beaten.

Mr. Mohammed had a wound to the head

He was found just after 10 am.

Police were called to the scene.

The 23-year-old man was from Clarke Trace, Plum Road, Manzanilla.

Mr. Mohammed was last seen alive heading to a bar along the Manzanilla/Mayaro Road.

His white Isuzu van remains missing.

Relatives believe Mr. Mohammed was robbed.

A man is shot and killed in San Juan.

He has been identified as Dexter Alleyene also known as ‘Yellows’.

Reports say the incident took place at Sawmill Avenue at around 4:45 Tuesday afternoon.

Reports say Mr. Alleyne was walking on the pavement when a man walked up to him and shot him in the head.

The gunman then ran off.

Mr. Alleyne fell to the ground and was unresponsive.

Persons nearby came to the scene and contacted the police.

The police took Mr. Alleyne to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Investigations are continuing.

A 7-year-old boy is found dead at his East Dry River home.

He has been identified as Zakariah Charles.

Reports say he was brought to the Port of Spain General Hospital around 8 o’clock last night.

Newscenter 5 understands the boy’s mother told police Zakariah went to the bathroom to bathe, when his mother heard a noise and found him on the bathroom floor unresponsive.

He was taken to the hospital where Dr. Sawh pronounced him dead around 8.37pm yesterday.

The corpse was viewed and was said to bare bruises to the entire body.

Investigations are ongoing.

The body found in Couva is identified as that of Darrel Lezama.

According to police reports officers received information around 5.30pm on Saturday that a decomposing body was on the side of the road at Basta Hall, Couva. 

When the officers arrived at the scene, they observed that the body was lying on its back in a grassy area under a tree about 50 feet from the roadway.

Officers also noted that the word ‘Popo’ was tattooed on the stomach.

Relatives then contacted the police after seeing the online reports of a body fitting Mr. Lezama’s description.

The 40-year-old deceased was the father of 4.

The body has been taken to the Forensic Science Centre, Port of Spain for an autopsy. 

Officers of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations Region 3 are investigating.