(Trinidad Express) In the space of one month, the families of 326 people were left in shock and heartbreak after losing their loved ones to the Covid-19 virus.
May 2021 was the deadliest month of the pandemic in Trinidad and Tobago and the month with the highest number of Covid-19 cases.
This month alone saw 13,085 new infections, which is 45 per cent more positive cases than all of 2020.
December 2020 ended with 7,150 positive cases and 127 deaths.
As Covid-19 cases surged, and with 21 people dying in one day on May 13, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced on May 15 that T&T would be under a state of emergency from May 16.
Two weeks into the SoE, which restricts non-essential movement between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., positive cases and deaths continue to increase.
Among those who lost their lives due to Covid-19 this past month were police officers Constable Hayden Spencer, acting Insp Mukesh Sookram and PC Anthony Nicholson.
Sisters Georgette Rawlins and Karen Rawlins died one week apart from the virus, while husband and wife Joan and Roopchand Basdeo died one day apart, and father and son Premnath and Nigel Ramkalawan died hours apart.
Also passing away were popular Tunapuna masman, gym instructor and market vendor Balnarine “Balo” Bennie and People’s National Movement stalwart Joycelyn Bodden.
For the year so far, 368 people have died from Covid-19 while there have been 16,759 positive cases.
The month of May ended yesterday with 16 more Covid-19 deaths, pushing total deaths to 495.
The Ministry of Health reported the deaths in its daily update yesterday afternoon.