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Persons are told not to be fearful of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The assurance comes from PAHO/WHO representative for Trinidad and Tobago and the Dutch Kingdom Islands, Dr. Erica Wheeler.

Dr. Wheeler says it will not be substandard and assures it will be very useful in stopping the rapid spread of the virus.

At the weekly news briefing yesterday she said she is not concerned about the quality of the vaccine.

Dr. Wheeler assured the World Health Organization would not put its seal of approval on anything that does not meet its standards.

Another COVID connected death in Trinidad and Tobago.

The latest fatality is an elderly man, with pre-existing medical conditions.

The Ministry of Health also revealed yesterday there are 19 new positive cases recorded.

The total active cases now stands at 740.

And Tobago records three more COVID-19 cases.

A statement from the Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development says, 1,862 samples were submitted to the Tobago Regional Health Authority and other local testing sites.

One hundred and nineteen tested positive.

There have been 2 deaths in Tobago.

Former Member of Parliament Dr. Fuad Khan says under Kamla Persad Bissessar the opposition United National Congress is going nowhere.

Dr. Khan has endorsed the candidacy of Vasant Bharath for the position of Political Leader of the UNC.

Last night in Chaguanas he was one of the speakers on Mr. Bharath’s Unity Is Strength platform.

The former Minister of Health in the Persad Bissessar regime, said she sidelined and ostracised many of the experienced UNC members because they called for unity.

Dr. Khan said efforts to change the strategy of Mrs. Persad Bissessar’s leadership have been rejected.

UNC members vote for a new executive this Sunday.

Mr. Bharath’s slate is going up against the ‘Stars’ Team led by Mrs. Persad Bissessar.

She has accused some on the side of Mr. Bharath of trying to divide the party.

Traumatologist Haniff Benjamin believes there is a correlation between the influx of Venezuelans in Trinidad and Tobago and the expiration of the registration card.

The card allows the South Americans to stay in the country for 1 year.

Mr. Benjamin, who is also the Head of the Center for Human Development says the current situation, requires a sense of balance and compassion as the migrants are often traumatised.

The Clinical Therapist believes mental stress sets in when relatives are forced to leave home in search of a better life.

He said the perilous journey is what some are willing to face to reunite with loved ones.  

Mr. Benjamin admits it is a difficult situation as governments around the world try to balance the needs of their citizens against those of migrants who are seeking a better life.

The local representative of the Nation of Islam, David Muhammed is asking what about African migrants in Trinidad and Tobago.

Yesterday, Mr. Muhammed said all human beings including the Venezuelans should be treated kindly and with consideration.

However he said there is a stark absence of concern for the African migrants who are also poorly treated by the State.

According to Mr. Muhammed who is also director of the Black Agenda, the African migrants are treated like animals.

He said no one is troubled by the ill treatment of them, yet over 10 organizations have stood in defense of the illegal Venezuelan migrants.

An 11-year-old Venezuelan girl loses her bid to stay in Trinidad and Tobago, following a ruling by the High Court.

Justice Frank Seepersad yesterday gave the government permission to send the child home.

The girl was among a group of 26 Venezuelans said to have entered the country illegally seeking asylum status.

Justice Seepersad said the State has an obligation to have the borders secured and prevent an influx of illegal immigrants.

Justice Seepersad said according to the undisputed affidavit evidence, the child’s mother, without regard to the Domestic Law, arranged for her, to enter the jurisdiction illegally.

He noted it is the obligation of the government to secure the borders, but this has evidently not been discharged with either alacrity or success.

Justice Seepersad said the actions of the claimant’s mother in subjecting her young daughter to the terrors of the sea and the flagrant flouting of this country’s laws cannot be condoned or disregarded.

He also ordered the Registrar of the High Court to direct his ruling to the Police Commissioner and the Director of Public Prosecutions to determine whether criminal charges should be laid.

Justice Seepersad said the court had an obligation to uphold the laws of the land and should not be swayed by emotion.

One of the attorneys representing the girl was Gerald Ramdeen.

Mr. Ramdeen suggested the State has an obligation to protect the rights of the child afforded in the constitution.

Activist Nikolai Edwards says the Ministry of Health is putting people’s lives at risk by refusing to allow the use of PREP.

Mr. Edwards says assuming people will be promiscuous is unfair.

Mr. Edwards believes men in the Caribbean are still at high risk because they are not properly informed.

He says instead of accusing men, more focus should be placed on educating them about the virus.

The theme for this year is “Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility”.

Government holds to its position on the drug that reduces the risk of HIV infection.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis remains unavailable via Trinidad and Tobago’s Public Health System.

Yesterday, on World Aids Day lead technical officer with the National Aids Coordinating Committee Dr. Ayanna Sebro said the position on PREP holds.

Speaking on The Morning Show on i95.5fm Dr. Sebro said other methods have also proven to reduce transmission.

A G4S employee is assisting police with their inquiries into a fatal accident, which claimed the life of a 13-year-old boy.

Zion Roop was from La Retreat Road, Gonzales Village, Guapo.

The accident occurred at 3:20pm on Monday.

The 36-year-old driver involved in the accident told investigators he was on the Southern Main Road, Gonzales Village, Guapo when the accident occurred.

He said on reaching the vicinity, he observed a young boy standing on the left side of the road.

He said the boy suddenly ran across the road and he was unable to steer the vehicle away from the boy.

The teenager was struck.

Zion was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival at 3:54pm.

AG/CPL Boodhai is investigating.