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The Health Minister is telling people working in the retail sector to get their vaccinations now.

Minister Terrence Deyalsingh yesterday said the government wants to reopen the retail sector, but that can only happen if those within get themselves vaccinated.

The authorities are now pushing hard to have as many people vaccinated so as to reach herd immunity in quick time.

But the Minister is not advising members of the public to go to these mass vaccination sites, but instead they are being told to access the vaccines via over 100 health centers across the country.

According to Minister Deyalsingh herd immunity can only be reached if close to 100% of adults in the county get vaccinated.

It is being called a grim milestone; 1,000 people in Trinidad and Tobago have now died of the coronavirus.

The Ministry of Health yesterday confirmed 2 more patients have died of the virus, bringing the total number to one thousand.

The patients are 1 elderly female with co-morbidities and 1 middle-aged male with no underlying conditions.

Among the latest deaths are Dr. Dhiyan Mahabir and prison officer, Nixon Lokai.

Dr. Mahabir was a consultant attached to the Emergency Department of the San Fernando General Hospital.

The doctor was taken to hospital after a colleague found him sick 2 weeks ago.

After he was found, he was taken to the High Dependency Unit of the hospital.

His relatives say he contracted the virus and was not vaccinated.

A member of Minister Deyalsingh’s health team, Dr. Maryam Abdool Richards is admitting fatigue has stepped in among members of staff.

Principal Medical Officer in charge of institutions, Dr. Abdool Richards said yesterday while the experts are working to protect the nation and treat with COVID-19, they too are feeling the strain.

Dr. Abdool Richards assured that while more information about vaccines continues to come forward, the jabs are safe.

Dr. Abdool Richards said she received her 1^st shot in Deigo Martin in March and her 2^nd shot in Tacarigua on June 11^th.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar says the Minister of Health appears to be exhausted on the job.

She says Terrance Deyalsingh may be having a melt down.

At the virtual report of her United National Congress last evening, Mrs. Persad Bissessar again cast some doubt over the work of Minister Deyalsingh and his team.

She then referred to an error made by Minister Deyalsingh at yesterday’s COVID media update.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar lamented the growing number of fatalities linked to the coronavirus.

Up to yesterday there were 998 COVID related deaths in the twin island republic.

The 6 additional deaths take the toll two short of the 1,000 mark.

The Ministry of Health said 181 new cases of the virus were also recorded.

The active caseload is now 5,742.

The Ministry says 306 people are at hospital and 87 at step down facilities.

It says 149 people are at State quarantine facilities and 5168 at home self-isolation.

Two drive-through vaccination sites are being established, as the authorities reach for herd immunity.

Minister of Health Terrance Deyalsingh yesterday said the Wallerfield Racetrack in Cumuto has been turned into a COVID-19 vaccination site for members of the public.

It becomes operational tomorrow and will cater for persons who will be vaccinated while in their vehicles.

Minister Deyalsingh also revealed a 2^nd drive-through will be established at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

Councilor for Cumuto/Tamana, Anil Maharaj has resigned as Chairman of the Finance, Planning and Allocation of Resources Committee at the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation.

Councilor Maharaj’s resignation comes hours after his colleagues from the Peoples National Movement called for him to go.

The United National Congress Councilor has been charged with misbehavior in public office and is now on bail.

This morning, via a news release from his party, the Councilor said he intends to robustly defend himself against these allegations.

Public Relations Officer of the UNC Dr. Kirk Meighoo said the Councilor did the honorable thing.

It is alleged that between January and June 2021, Mr. Maharaj demanded $15,000 from a contractor at the corporation.

Speaking with Newscenter 5 this morning Dr. Meghoo said what goes for one must go for all.

Councilor Maharaj said he remains committed to his Burgesses and the regional corporation.

Efforts to reach him this morning were not successful.

Newscenter 5 was told he was attending a council meeting.

The Oilfield Workers Trade Union says hundreds of millions of dollars are missing from the pension fund of former Petrotrin employees.

And OWTU head, Ancel Roget wants to know where the money gone.

Speaking at a news conference yesterday Mr. Roget said over 200 million dollars cannot be accounted for, and he said they are prepared to go to court to retrieve it.

The cessation of Petrotrin’s operations on November 30^th 2018 meant that the Petrotrin employee pension plan became a closed plan.

However, actuaries valued the plan at over 130 million per annum despite the fact that no new monies through employee and sponsor contributions were going into the fund.

Mr. Roget said the pension funds figures are reading incorrect and as such the fund is in danger.

Mr. Roget said over the years the OWTU could have demanded more money but the union took the responsible route.

He said former Petrotrin workers are being robbed and government must be held accountable.

The OWTU head said government has made it a habit to do as it pleases and condemns those who are seeking answers.   

The union has retained the services of former Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj S.C. who has already sent two pre-action protocol letters to all parties involved.

The family of Lutalo Masimba, more lovingly known by his stage name Brother Resistance, is denying rumors of his death being due to COVID-19.

The entertainer and former President of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Association is being mourned by his family, close relatives, and the uncountable number of persons his radiant energy imprinted on.

In a release the family says it is therefore with great disappointment during this trying time that there has arisen a need to clarify certain bits of incorrect banter, which are floating across both social media and the general media.

They say Mr. Masimba did not pass away because of COVID-19, any COVID-19-related complications, or because of any issues as a result of him taking the Sinopharm vaccine.

They say in fact, he was fully vaccinated having received his 2^nd dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine on June 28^th. 

It says just over a month ago, he was diagnosed with cancer and had started receiving treatment and was not ailing contrary to media reports.

It says details of the live stream of his funeral service will be released when the plans have been finalized.

Councilors of the ruling Peoples National Movement in the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation are calling for the resignation of their colleague from the Opposition, United National Congress Anil Maharaj.

Mr. Maharaj has been charged with misbehavior in public office.

Last week he was granted $130,000 bail with a surety.

He has to return to court on August 4^th.

PNM members on the council plan to hold a news conference today to make their demand for his removal.

Officers of the Anti Corruption Investigations Bureau arrested Mr. Maharaj.

He was charged after a meeting between officers of the bureau and the Director of public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard.

It is reported that between January 1^st and June 30^th this year Councilor Maharaj demanded the sum of $15,000 from a contractor at the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation.

Mr. Maharaj is the Chairman of the corporation’s Finance Committee.