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A teenager is among the latest number of persons to die from COVID-19.

The latest update from the Ministry of Health says there were 22 more deaths today, and 666 new infections.

There are now a total of 2,303 deaths to date.

The country’s active caseload now stands at 12,902.

The Ministry says the deceased were 6 elderly males, 6 elderly females, 4 middle-aged males, 5 middle-aged females and 1 teenage male.

It says 11 of the deceased, including the teenager, had multiple comorbidities, including diabetes, hypertension, asthma, cancer, heart disease, thyroid disease, or downs syndrome.

Another 4 persons had 1 comorbidity, while 7 persons had no known comorbidities.

The Opposition, United National Congress believes there is mischief afoot in the reappointment of the Chancellor of the University of the West Indies. 

The accusations were leveled during question and answer session in the Senate yesterday.

Government Senator Allison West was responding for her colleague, Education Minister Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, to questions from Senator Wade Mark.

Senator West explained why Vice Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles was not appointed to the post of University Principal.

Professor Brian Copeland was given 1 more year on his contract even as he is of retirement age.

Senator West said his stewardship over the years proved positive hence the reappointment.

However Senator Mark was not convinced.

He accused government of interference.

Further Mr. Mark contended that someone deliberately stopped the interviews.

Senator West further explained that this reappointment was not unusual.

In addition she denounced claims of a plot against the Vice Chancellor.

The decision to extend the tenure of Professor Brian Copeland was made at the annual meeting of the University Council on April 30^th, which was chaired by Chancellor Robert Bermudez, and held virtually for the second consecutive year. 

A call from the Opposition, United National Congress for the resignation of National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds.

The party says he has failed to protect the nations prison officers.

In recent weeks, 2 officers were killed and there is word of 11 more to be murdered before Christmas.

At the party’s weekly media conference yesterday Naparima MP Rodney Charles said the Minister must go.

The opposition member said the National Security Minister has failed.

Newscenter 5 reached out to Minister Hinds for a comment but got no response.

There have been 26 additional COVID related deaths taking the country’s tally to 2,262.

The Ministry of Health says the deceased are 11 elderly men, 6 elderly women, 3 middle-aged men and 6 middle-aged women.

It says 601 new infections were also recorded.

The Ministry says the new cases are from samples taken during the period December 2^nd to the 4^th.

The active caseload in the country now stands at 12, 230.

And a tongue lashing from Roman Catholic Archbishop Jason Gordon who says it is the indiscipline of citizens that has brought on this current wave of COVID-19 infections.

This as he calls on the nation to “grow up”.

In recent days new cases and deaths in Trinidad have been escalating.

Yesterday Tobago reported 1 new death and 30 new cases.

An angry archbishop yesterday called on citizens to do better.

Delivering the homily at the Living Water Mass this morning the cleric likened the behaviour to that of a spoilt child.

The mass was broadcasted live on i95.5fm.

Gary Griffith comes out swinging at National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds saying he is using old methods that cannot benefit the police service.

In a voice note yesterday a passionate Mr. Griffith says as the nation grapples with the spiraling crime rate the Minister engages in a public relations stunt on the matter.

Mr. Griffith says this is even compounded seeing recent murders involving illegal firearms.

He also defends his hiring of 19 contract workers under his tenure as Police Commissioner.

He says Minister Hinds continues to show he is unfit for the job with his retroactive approach to the office.

Mr. Griffith says such persons are not progressive and will only serve to take the police service backwards.

The country records its second highest day of COVID-19 deaths with 24 reported.

The Ministry of Health also says that 763 new positive cases were recorded.

In an update it says dead are 8 elderly males, 8 elderly females, 4 middle aged males and 4 middle aged females.

The Ministry says this brings to 2,158 the total number of fatalities to date.

It says 14 persons had multiple comorbidities including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, asthma, cancer and arthritis.

A release says 6 persons had one comorbidity hypertension or diabetes and 4 persons had no known comorbidity.

It says 90.9 % of persons in the Parallel Health Care System are not vaccinated.