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Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh insists the World Health Organization will guide this country as it relates to vaccine mixing.

Minister Deyalsingh maintains Trinidad and Tobago cannot use statistics from other countries to determine how it operates in that context.

He says the WHO is the main agency the government follows and the procedure outlined by it will be observed.

The Minister also notes that the number of medical professionals to treat with COVID-19 is limited.

He says doctors are needed to treat with elective surgeries as well.

He says the public must do its part and get the jab to ensure doctors are not burning the candle on both ends.

Speaking at the COVID-19 update yesterday, the Minister said the only answer to the pandemic is the vaccine. 

The country is being told there is very little room for COVID-19 patients at the Intensive Care Units of the Parallel Health System.

Principal Medical Officer for Institutions Dr. Maryam Abdool Richards says 51 out of 52 beds at hospitals in Trinidad are filled.

She finds this reality to be troubling.

Dr. Abdool Richards also revealed yesterday that of the 51 positive patients at Intensive Care Units, 50 are not fully vaccinated.

She said in the Accident and Emergency Departments of the Traditional Health Care System, 24 patients are critical and are awaiting transfer to the parallel system.

Seven of them require ICU care.

She again urged the public to get immunized against the coronavirus.

She stressed that failure to do so could lead to fatal consequences.

Meanwhile Tobago’s death toll is now at 100.

A 46-year-old woman pushed the tally from 99 to 100 yesterday.

The Division of Health says the woman had comorbidities.

According the Division of Health there have been 5 more new cases recorded bringing the active caseload on the island to 298.

The division says there are 28 patients in State isolation and 268 in home self-isolation.

It says to date 20,424 persons have been fully vaccinated.

The Tobago fatality is 1 of 3 confirmed nationally yesterday.

The national total is 1,658.

The Ministry says the latest fatalities are 2 elderly men and 1 elderly woman.

The Ministry says they all had co-morbidities.

The Ministry also says it has recorded 147 new infections, taking the active caseload to 4,630.

The Ministry says there are 332 patients at hospital, while there are 4,116 persons in home self-isolation.

To date 592,384 persons are fully vaccinated.

One of the 2 suspected bandits killed during a robbery in Wallerfield is identified as Glen Craigwell.

Mr. Craigwell lived in Petit Valley.

Police are seeking public assistance in identifying the other suspect.

The two were shot as they attempted to rob a minimart on Monday night.

It is said 3 men armed with guns entered Flora’s Mini Mart at Tractor Pool Road and announced a hold-up.

They proceeded to beat and rob patrons.

However the trio was confronted by 3 men who were also armed inside the establishment including the owner of the business an off duty police officer who opened fire.

Two were hit several times and died at the scene.

The third suspect escaped.

The police officer identified as Marlon Wilson was wounded during the incident.

He was taken to hospital for treatment.

And police are investigating the killing of Nyron Phillip and Richie Ragoo.

The 2 men were shot dead at a garage in Carapo on Monday night.

According to reports at a round 9:30 pm 42-year-old Mr. Phillip and 22-year-old Mr. Ragoo were at a garage located at Jokhan Trace when 3 men walked in and opened fire.

Both men were killed on the spot.

A third man was also shot and wounded.

Up late yesterday he was said to be in a critical condition.

Relatives of Mr. Phillip say he had 4 children and was from Carapo Main Road.

Mr. Ragoo lived on the premises of the garage.

The police service says it is functioning optimally with available resources, even after the dismissal of several civilians hired by former Police Commissioner Gary Griffith.

In a release yesterday the TTPS said it has noted several media enquiries surrounding the possible effects of the recent firings in the service.

The release said in this regard the police service asserts that all operations continue unabated.

The TTPS said through its executive, the units affected by the dismissals would function with all available resources, inclusive of the personnel currently attached to serve the public.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence and Investigations, Mc Donald Jacob, says, as is customary with most organisations, staffing arrangements may come under review, and where necessary, new persons may be hired to fill vacancies.

The TTPS reiterated its commitment to its mandate to make every place in Trinidad and Tobago safe.

MP for Couva south, Rudranath Indarsingh wants Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley to say whether he was involved in the firings of civilian personnel at the office of the Commissioner of Police.

Up to 19 people have been sent home.

It is reported they were hired and given contracts under the now former Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith.

The man in charge of the police service now, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mc Donald Jacob is denying there was anything sinister about the development.

But in a statement, MP Indarsingh says Dr. Rowley must say whether he was involved in the firings.

Mr. Indarsingh also notes with interest that the dismissals have occurred while Minister Stuart Young is currently acting as Minister of National Security.

The Opposition MP says Minister Young must also say whether he has used his current acting stint to direct or influence the firings of such persons.

Mr. Indarsingh is accusing the Prime Minister of interfering in the police service, by writing to the Police Service Commission indicating his loss of confidence in then Commissioner Gary Griffith.

He says the PSC is an independent institution under the constitution and ought to make its considerations free from the weight of political influence.

On Monday, Deputy Commissioner Jacob said some of the personnel were no longer needed.

However, former Commissioner Gary Griffith is not convinced it was all about cutting cost.

In a statement Mr. Griffith claimed political interference in the running of the police service.

He said the purging now taking place reminds him of what happens after election campaigns.

Kamla Persad Bissessar is hailing the behavior of her MPs during an attempt in the parliament to unseat the President.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar is telling the Prime Minister last Thursday’s series of incidents the house was only the start of other actions being planned by her United National Congress.

Many, including Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, have condemned the actions of the Opposition.

Last night the Opposition leader said she and her representatives did the right thing in resisting what she called the attempts of a dictator.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar accused the government of launching an assault on the country’s democracy.

At the United National Congress’ Monday night forum, Mrs. Persad Bissessar slammed the Independent Senators who voted with the government last Thursday.

She believes the Senators capitulated.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar took issue with comments attributed to Senator Anthony Vierra.

She said the Opposition would fight back.

The leader of the Opposition said the October revolution, mounted by her party will continue and she insisted it is not about violence.

National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds is confirming that a review of the spending in the police service is being conducted.

This is all happening while the police service remains without a Commissioner and a commission.

The Minister told TV6 that is only temporary and the discipline of the police service remains unshaken.

President Paula Mae Weekes has already sent the names of 4 nominees to sit on the Police Service Commission.

The members of the last commission all resigned in the face of a raging controversy over the selection of a Commissioner.