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Even as the Opposition was slamming the impact of the State Of Emergency on the public, the infection numbers are climbing.

Seven hundred and eighty-one new cases have been recorded over a 5-day period.

The last time infections read so high was in May this year.

At that time there were 708 infections recorded.

Yesterday the number of fatalities fell to 6.

The deceased patients are 3 elderly men, 2 middle-aged men and 1 middle-aged woman.

One of the deaths was an 80-year-old Tobago man.

Tobago’s death toll is now 107.

The national fatality figure is 1,891.

So far this year 630,781 people are fully vaccinated.

Six months after the declaration of a State Of Emergency government says it is time to give more responsibility to the people of this country.

The measure aimed at helping in the fight against COVID-19 came to an end at midnight last night.

In a vote yesterday, all government members in the House of Representatives said yes while the Opposition abstained.

In moving the motion Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said fighting the coronavirus has moved to a new stage and there was no need to keep the measure in force anymore.

The Prime Minister is proud that under his watch there have been no claims of abuse over the last 6 months.

He pointed fingers at the Opposition accusing it of creating mischief.

Chief whip David Lee reminded the Parliament that his side did not support the declaration of a State Of Emergency.

He said it was not necessary and its early end shows the failings of the government.

Mr. Lee said government has betrayed the people.

He said he is left in a state of confusion because the Prime Minister has failed to give details as to the effectiveness of the State Of Emergency.

The Vaccination Personnel Bill 2021 is passed in the Senate.

The Bill provides for a category of professionals, including pharmacists, vets, dentists and medical laboratory technicians to administer COVID-19 vaccines.

Acting Attorney General Stuart Young says there is no telling when a mass vaccination drive may be needed.

In the Senate yesterday, he said the government must be prepared.

Minister Young said there have been some concerns.

Opposition Senator Dr. Tim Gopiesingh questioned why lab technicians are being allowed to administer vaccines.

Independent Senator Anthony Viera had his own concerns about the steps being taken by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19

The Bill went to committee stage and was later approved by the Upper House.

The Parliament will today hear the reasons for the lifting of the 6 month old State Of Emergency.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley last weekend announced the end of the SOE, which was established to deal with the spread of the coronavirus.

The SOE was to expire on the 29^th of this month.

Dr. Rowley told reporters the country no longer needs the measures.

But critics, including the Opposition have queried the reasons for the planned move by the government, 2 weeks ahead of the expiration.

Opposition leader Kamla Persad Bissessar on Monday night said the lifting of the SOE is connected to the upcoming Tobago House of Assembly Election on December 6^th.

The National Security Minister and the Deputy Police Commissioner have assured that steps are being taken to deal with what could be the impact of the removal of the State Of Emergency.

The Parliament meets at 1:30pm today.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Macdonald Jacob says the killings are of great concern to the TTPS.

Speaking with Newscenter 5 yesterday Mr. Jacob said information suggests the 5 killings are the result of gang warfare.

Mr. Jacob also promised a strong response from the TTPS and all arms of the protective services to deal with gang members who use high-powered rifles to commit their murders.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police said efforts have been made to end the upsurge in gang activity through the use of artificial intelligence and scientific based evidence.

Reports of five more murders.

In the latest incident the victim has been identified as Lawrence Macintosh.

Reports say he was found stabbed to death at his Angnes Feild Road, Unity Road, Rich Plains home around 6 o’clock yesterday evening.

Newscenter 5 understands Mr. Macintosh was found in the bedroom with several stab wounds to the back of his head and neck.

He died on the spot.

A bloodied knife believed to be the murder weapon was found near his body.

The police were called to the scene.

And the latest 3 homicides occurred in east Port of Spain and Diego Martin late last evening.

Two of the new victims are Brian St. Louis and Rashidi Haynes.

They were gunned down at St. Paul Street close to 2 hours after the start of the curfew.

Residents reported hearing gunshots in the area and contacted the police.

It is said when officers arrived they found the bullet riddled bodies of the 2.

They died at the scene.

Hours earlier a man identified only as Ali was shot and killed in Diego Martin.

That killing occurred in the Rich Plain area shortly before 9 o’clock last evening.

These killings are now added to the 5, which occurred between Monday night and yesterday morning.

And a man injured in a shoot out in Morvant has now died.

He has been identified as Dennis Fleary.

Reports say Mr. Fleary was one of 3 persons shot at Pelican Extension in Morvant on Monday evening.

The other man who died following that shooting has been identified as Jabari Phllip.

The identity of the other victim is not yet known.