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The latest update from the Ministry of Health says there are 167 new cases of the virus.

Twenty-three of the new cases were among workers on offshore platforms.

The number of active cases now stands at 1,161.

There have been 12 deaths in the month of April.

The toll remains at 157.

The country has an overall confirmed total of 9,383 positive cases.

It is said the month of April has seen the largest number of new cases for the year.

There have been 1,335 infections.

According to the Ministry, seven people have been discharged from State facilities and there have been a further 22 recovered community cases.

The Police Service Association tells its members you do not have to take the COVID-19 vaccine if you don’t want to.

A communiqué sent out earlier this week caused some concern among officers.

However this morning, General Secretary of he association Sgt. Ancil Forde said the vaccine is not compulsory.

Yesterday Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith noted the reluctance by some police officers to take the vaccine.

He told a news conference yesterday there was a time when there was no question about the responsibilities of police officers.

However on the Morning Edition program today Sgt. Forde noted that officers have rights and a choice regarding what goes into their bodies.

Up to 1700 police officers have been identified to be vaccinated.

The Commissioner has already been inoculated.

Earlier this week there were also questions surrounding reports that members of the Defence Force were being mandated to get vaccinated.

The Defence Force denied this and so too did the new national security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds.

A drug bust on Kings Wharf in San Fernando.

Customs and excise officials are currently on the scene.

Reports say the find was made when Acting Customs Officer-2 Mohammed and others were patrolling the waters off the Pt. Fortin coastline at around 5 o’clock this morning.

The officers observed a boat with three persons on board.

Newscenter 5 understands the lawmen stopped the vessel and began a search.

They are reported to have found some fuel containers with 32 rectangular shaped packets.

Further checks were made and one of the packets was found to contain plant like material resembling marijuana.

Another one contained a powder like substance resembling cocaine.

The 3 persons were arrested and taken to the San Fernando Wharf where further enquiries are ongoing.

The Pan American Health Organisation says there is misinformation being circulated about the COVID-19 vaccines.

Regional Director Dr. Carissa Ettienne says it is one of the most serious concerns to public health at this time.

Her comments follow skepticism internationally about suspected side effects of the vaccines.

In Trinidad and Tobago there have been questions surrounding the recent deaths of 2 men, one of them the Minister of Energy, Franklyn Khan.

Both Minister Khan and Mr. Ijaz Hanniff died within days of taking the vaccine.

Health authorities have said there is no connection between their deaths and the vaccine.

Speaking at COVID-19 media briefing yesterday Dr. Ettienne insisted the vaccines are safe.

Dr. Ettienne also said her organisation is continuing to monitor vaccine usage.

Dr. Etienne also advised people to confirm information from verified sources before sharing with others.

A Venezuelan activist describes as irresponsible claims that members of her community are responsible for the rise in COVID-19 cases locally.

Andreina Briceno of Lacasita Hispanic Cultural Centre says she does not believe this is true

She says Venezuelans living here are as afraid of the deadly virus as any other citizen.

Speaking with Newscenter 5 this morning Ms. Briceno said COVID-19 should not be used to divide.

She dismissed the claim of the community being responsible for the spike. The health authorities have also dismissed a link between Venezuelan migrants and the COVID spike saying that gatherings at Easter and pandemic fatigue were also factors.

There are reports of a lack of COVID compliance at some of the vaccination sites.

However Head of the Registered Nurses Association Idi Stuart tells us, he is not aware the program was underway.

Mr. Stuart also tells of over 3000 individuals listed for this weekend, he fears the crowds may be too large.

Mr. Stuart says, he expects that proper sanitization and social distancing will be adhered to.

He warns that failure to uphold the regulations will result in the removal of his members.

The Ministry of Health yesterday announced new vaccinations locations, in St Helena, Morvant, Carenage and Tacarigua.

Head of the Taxi Drivers Network Adrian Acosta says the situation is vexing.

He says now that public servants will be on rotation again, a deeper hole is likely in the pockets of those who provide transport.

Mr. Acosta believes the plight of the taxi drivers is being ignored.

He says several requests for dialogue before decisions are made regarding transport but nothing has changed.

As of midnight last night some familiar measures were returned as the authorities try to deal with climbing numbers of infections and deaths.

Among the measures in effect, public servants have returned to a rotation system at 50 percent to reduce the number of people at government offices at any given time.

The Minister of Health said this would take tens of thousands of people off the work and transport grid.

Terrence Deyalsingh said office spread is a main contributor to the infection numbers.

Maxi Taxi drivers and operators are reeling under the pressures of COVID-19.

They believe the re-introduced measures are likely to make things worse.

President of the Maxi Taxi Drivers Association of Trinidad and Tobago Eon Hewitt says families are also feeling the effects.

Mr. Hewitt tells Newscenter 5 drivers barely survived the first round of restrictions.

He is calling on the Finance Minister to lend assistance.

He says there are bills to be paid but income is tight.

Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith says his officers will enforce the re-introduced COVID-19 restrictions.

This morning Commissioner Griffith said a lot more can be done to improve adherence to the restrictions.

Yesterday Health Minister Terrance Deyalsingh announced that the authorities have decided to re-impose some measures.

New National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds also said a police team will be established to ensure adherence.

At a news conference earlier Commissioner Griffith said there will be increased monitoring by his officers.

The commissioner also said he intends to pay close attention to some bars.

Three changes in portfolio in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley.

The minor Cabinet reshuffle follows the sudden death of Energy Minister Senator Franklyn Khan.

Prime Minister Rowley has removed Stuart Young as National Security Minister and has given him the energy portfolio.

Franklyn Khan died at his home last Saturday morning.

It is believed he died of a heart attack but there has been no official statement regarding the actual cause.

Yesterday a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister said Dr. Rowley, who is in isolation as a result of having contracted the coronavirus, had advised President Paula-Mae Weekes of the changes to be made in the Cabinet.

It said in addition Minister Young would also perform the duties as Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Minister Young will be replaced as National Security Minister by Fitzgerald Hinds, the Minister of Youth Development and National Service.

The Minister in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Foster Cummings, has been appointed Minister of Youth Development and National Service.

But Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad Bissessar finds the appointment of Mr. Hinds to the post of national security as laughable.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar last night said simple legislation to make reality the use of pepper spray is yet to be brought to the Parliament.

She is hoping the new National Security Minister would do better.

The leader of the Opposition was speaking during her party’s Monday night forum.