The Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development was tasked with further safeguarding the population of Tobago, in the wake of COVID-19.

Widespread testing became necessary and the Division encouraged residents to exercise social responsibility and get tested in order to prevent community spread of the virus.

Persons were asked to call the COVID-19 hotline at 800-HEAL (4325), if they experienced any of the following symptoms: Fever, headache, sore throat, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, muscle pain, loss of smell, loss of taste, extreme tiredness.

The hotline “allows us to assess symptoms and better guide persons to the right facility. It also gets people tested and helps us to identify previously unknown chains of transmission,” said Dr. Anthony Thompson, House Officer of Oncology at the Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA).

A determination is made whether a caller is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or something milder like the common cold. “If the symptoms are mild, they would be directed to the Green Room at the old hospital for swabbing. For more severe symptoms clients are referred to the Scarborough General Hospital Accident and Emergency Department or the Scarborough, Canaan or Roxborough Health Centres,” he added.

The initiative has been a collaborative effort of the Health Division, TRHA and County Medical Officer of Health (CMOH). Dr. Thompson cited the hotline as a perfect example of the different branches of health services in Tobago working together and facilitating communication.

As COVID-19 is still very much with us, Tobagonians are urged to stay at home and utilize the hotline, if feeling unwell.