CALL US AT:

The first case of the Brazilian strain of the coronavirus has been discovered in Tobago.

Acting County Medical Officer of Health for Tobago, Dr. Tiffany Hoyte yesterday said the P-One is responsible for the rise in COVID cases.

Also yesterday Tobago recorded 2 more deaths and 38 new cases of the virus.

And the national COVID-19 death toll increases by 5, two of which are recorded in Tobago.

The persons were 1 elderly male, 2 elderly females, and 2 middle-aged males with co-morbidities.

This brings the country’s total death count to date to 1,048.

There are also 108 new positive cases of the virus.

The total number of persons vaccinated with one dose is 357,332, while the number of persons who are full vaccinated is 185,020.

A suspected murder suicide in New Grant.

Michael Deonarine and his wife Crystal Jagroop were found by relatives in the bedroom of their Unis Trace Busy Corner home yesterday.

Police were called to the scene after the discovery.

Both Mr. Deonarine and his wife were 25-years-old.

Their bodies were found in a bedroom of the house.

Neighbours called relatives after they detected a stench coming from the house.

It is believed Mr. Deonarine shot dead his wife before turning the gun on himself.

But police have found no gun, only shells.

Ms. Jagroop was the mother of one.

The child was not in the house but was with relatives.

It is said Crystal Jagroop was a housewife and her husband did odd jobs in the community.

Relatives say he also sold produce at the market.

Officers of the Homicide Region Three and Tableland Police Station responded to the trouble call yesterday.

The female suspect in the murder of Insurance Executive John Henry Smith is recaptured shortly after she escaping from the St. Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital.

A release from the TTPS says the 41-year-old suspect, was placed at the facility over the weekend pending evaluation.

It says she was being held in connection with the death of Mr. smith, which occurred on Friday at Saddle Road, Maraval.

The TTPS says a nurse at St. Ann’s reported that shortly after 4.30 am yesterday the female patient was reported missing from her ward.

The nurse reported to the police officer on duty at St. Ann’s Hospital and a search was carried out for the missing suspect.

Based on information received, officers of the Port of Spain Task Force located the missing suspect in the botanical gardens about one mile away.

The release says the suspect was taken back to the St. Ann’s Hospital.

Fire investigators are to continue efforts to determine the cause of the blaze, which took the lives of three siblings.  

The deaths of 17-years-old Ezekiel Burke, 6-year-old Faith Burke and 3-year-old Kayden Burke, have shaken the country.

Two other siblings were rescued, along with their father Troy Burke, who suffered first-degree burns.

They are 15-year-old Janiceia Burke, and 13-year-old Kiseane Burke.

Chief Fire Officer Arnold Bristow was at the scene of the blaze.

He said people nearby helped safe the other children.

The fire is said to have started after 7 am.

Chief Bristow said the first service got the trouble call at around 730.

Seventeen-year-old Ezikiel’s body was found in the porch of the house, which was surrounded by burglar proofing.

It is believed he was trying to escape when he died.

In a front room, the officers found the body of Faith Burke on the ground and in another room; they found the body of three-year-old Kayden.

District Medical Officer Dr. Sangamreddi visited the scene and ordered the removal of the bodies for post-mortems.

Claims of neglect and disregard are leveled against the government by Opposition Member of Parliament for Couva north, with regard to farmers. 

Speaking to supporters at the United National Congress’ Monday night forum, MP Ravi Ratiram farmers are suffering.

He said they are being robbed, attacked and the properties vandalised and nothing has been put in place to protect them.

The MP says the access roads to get to the farms are in a horrible condition.

He says the farmers are putting their lives in jeopardy each time they make the trek to the farms.

He says the conditions they are forced to operate under are sad and unfortunate.

The Prison Commissioner confirms vaccine hesitancy exists among inmates and it’s a challenge.

Health Minister Terrance Deyalsingh first revealed the situation over the weekend.

Today Commissioner Dennis Pulchan describes the inmates’ behaviour as a predicament.

On Saturday Minster Deyalsingh noted that inmates, whom he described as a special group were refusing the COVID-19 jabs.

Last week Muslim cleric Urmar Abdullah warned against the vaccine. 

Commissioner Pulchan tells Newscenter 5, misinformation is one of the contributing factors to vaccine hesitancy in the prison.

Over 30 inmates are reportedly COVID-19 positive.

One officer has since died from complications relating to the virus. 

Today marks 31 years since the 1990 Coup attempt in this country.

President of the Republic Paula Mae Weekes is appealing for a proper and fitting annual national observance to commemorate, what she sees as the ill-fated incident.

Her Excellency made the appeal via a media release yesterday.

The country wakes up this morning to word of the death of master artist Leroy Clarke.

He was 82-years-old.

Mr. Clarke was a master artist, poet, lecturer/inspirationalist, philosopher and Orisha leader who was born in Belmont.

Details are shortcoming at this time but Newscenter 5 understands he died at 6:00 am today.

We will have more information for you in a subsequent newscast.

Pride Month 2021 culminates with a vaccine drive.

Director of the organising Pride TT Rudolph Hanamji says members of the LGBTQIA community are being encouraged to get vaccinated.

Yesterday, the last Sunday in July, is celebrated in some countries as Gay Pride Day.

Speaking with Newscenter 5 Mr. Hanamji said it was a month of mainly virtual activities recognising the work of women in the community.

He said it culminated yesterday with a vaccine drive.

Mr. Hanamji told of a mentorship program for youth being launched in collaboration with Scotia Bank.

The Pride TT director said that with next year being the organisations 5^th anniversary, mind blowing experiences are being planned.