it did in Trinidad. During January, when campaigning occurred and February, where any potential cases would have been detected, only 12 cases were confirmed with no additional deaths. Still, no new COVID-19 variants were in circulation on the island at this time.
However, ahead of the new THA elections, the island has the Gamma and Delta COVID-19 variants of concern engrained in the community. The Gamma variant was officially detected in Tobago on July 27, while the Delta variant was confirmed in Tobago on October 6,
Tobago has recorded 756 COVID-19 cases in the last month, with the island’s seven-day rolling average now at 36 cases per day. With one day left in November, Tobago has recorded its second-most infectious month, behind August 2021’s 775 cases.
Fatalities have increased in Tobago, with the island reporting its deadliest day for the pandemic on Sunday, with four deaths in 24 hours. The island has reported 20 deaths month-to-date, making it the third-deadliest month for the pandemic—only September 2021 and August 2021 rank higher, with 22 and 23 deaths, respectively.
The island’s vaccine numbers have remained some of the lowest in the country. Tobago has vaccinated 23,131 people with at least one dose with 22,146 people with completed vaccination regimes. However, their seven-day rolling average is at 63 doses per day. Month-to-date, Tobago has administered only 2,044 vaccine doses, the lowest monthly total since COVID-19 vaccines were made available for the general public on the island.
In the January 2021 THA elections, there were 51,062 total electorates spread amongst 12 districts.
Electors in the twelve districts ranged from 3,772 to 4,664. The election resulted in a deadlock where six districts went to the People’s National Movement, and six districts went to the Progressive Democratic Patriots with 26,474 total votes cast, reflecting a 51.85 per cent turnout. District turnouts ranged from 43.35 per cent to 64.16 per cent, but winning margins were as low as 17 votes in Bethel/Mt. Irvine, 58 in Canaan/Bon Accord and 84 in Providence/Mason Hall/Moriah.
Tobago is now slated to hold its second THA election in six days with a new total electorate of 51,216, now spread across 15 districts with an average of 3,414 electors, 854 less per district than the 12-district average.
According to Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) figures, the electorate increased by 154 people from the January to December elections. However, during the same period, the island recorded 119 COVID-19 deaths with all people of voting age, resulting in a net increase of 35 voters.
Margins are further slimmed due to those who are suspected to be infected or are infected with COVID-19. While there are no public figures from the Division of Health, Wellness, and Family Development or the Tobago Regional Health Authority on those in quarantine, there are 626 people in home isolation, state isolation, and in the intensive care unit.
There has not been any clarity on whether or how these constituents will vote at this time. However, using guidelines for the 2020 General Election and the January 2021 THA election, those unable to vote due to COVID-19 exposure would have to remain home or in quarantine facilities, unless registered as a special elector, an additional barrier to exercising a constitutional right.
