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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.

The Prime Minister says he is not forcing anyone to take the COVID vaccine but it is in the interest of the public to do so. 

This as he seeks to clear the air on a recent statement he made regarding the now much talked about issue of mandatory vaccination.

Dr. Keith Rowley on Saturday said legally forcing people to take the vaccine for COVID-19 is not at this time on the table.

He said it is not something his Cabinet is addressing.

At the COVID media update Dr. Rowley said the vaccines are working worldwide.

He believes with the data now available, Trinidad and Tobago would want to be on the side of those who use the vaccines to save lives.

Double vendors and other street food operations are allowed from today.

These operations were stopped in April as the authorities sought to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Last Saturday Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley reminded that there are restrictions to the reopening today.

There are already reports this morning that people have started lining up for their favorite foods in some parts of the country.

The Prime Minister and his government have insisted that reopening of some sectors must be done slowly so as to avoid spikes in the virus.

Dr. Rowley also said there will be no further adjustments, at least not before the end of the month.

And the Ministry of Health has confirmed 992 lives have been lost as a result of the virus.

Yesterday’s update from the Ministry of Health told of the 2 deaths.

One of the 2 fatalities is a 78-year-old man from Tobago.

He had comorbidities.

The Ministry said the other is an elderly woman with no underlying conditions.

There were also 103 new cases of the virus.

These are from samples taken between July 14^th and the 17^th.

The total confirmed cases in the country now are 36,017.

Five thousand seven hundred and eighty are active.

Tobago yesterday recorded 15 new cases

There are also 226 active cases on the island.

An Opposition councilor attached to the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation is expected to appear in court today charged with Misbehavior in Public Office.

Officers of the Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau arrested the United National Congress councilor yesterday.

The TTPS says the charge stems from investigations into a report that between January 1^st and June 30^th, 2021, the councilor demanded the sum of $15,000 from a contractor at the corporation.

The councilor is an official of the corporation’s finance committee

The TTPS says Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard gave the instructions to charge the councilor.

He is expected to appear virtually before a Port-of-Spain Magistrate today.

Government says it will respect peoples right to do what they want with their bodies. 

However Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says the discussion surrounding mandatory vaccination must take place in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Prime Minister was speaking on MCTV yesterday when he said things may change and other types of considerations may become necessary.

He was responding to a question posed by former Member of Parliament and Minister Dr. Bhoendratt Tewarie.

The country records 6 additional COVID related deaths.

The Ministry of Health says the deceased are 2 elderly men and 2 elderly women with comorbidities and one elderly woman and 1 middle-aged man without comorbidities.

In its latest update yesterday the Ministry said the number of fatalities in the country now stands at 969.

The Ministry also said there has been 192 new infections taking the active caseload to 5,753.

The Ministry said there are 318 patients at hospital, 104 at step down facilities, 138 people in State quarantine and 5,139 in home self-isolation.

It said as at 4pm yesterday 229,203 people received their first dose of vaccine while 146,721 have been fully vaccinated.

A man from Princess Town is to appear in court tomorrow charged with the offence of misuse of telephone facilities.

Sixty-five-year-old Vinu Dall Singh is accused of threatening the lives of President Paula Mae Weekes and Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley.

The accused is to appear in the Princess Town Magistrates Court.

He is said to have committed the acts via telephone.

In a statement yesterday the police service said on may 6th this year the emergency and 999 Command Center in St. James received the threatening call.

An investigation was launched which led to the ID of the caller.