COVID-19 Deaths in Jamaica Reach Worrying 1,300

Jamaica recorded 656 new COVID-19 cases and confirmed another 15 deaths from the COVID-19 over the weekend the highest one-day total in latest months.

- Advertisement -
Journey to Kingston-728x90

Those additional deaths take the total number of Jamaicans who have died from COVID related complications since the start of the pandemic to over 1,300.

Westmoreland accounted for nine of the latest confirmed deaths.

There were three in Clarendon, two in St. James and one in Clarendon.

The  Health Ministry & Wellness, in its release on the matter, said the latest deaths occurred during the period August 5 to 13.

There have now been 57,945 COVID 19 cases in Jamaica since the first confirmation on March 10 last year. 

The current positivity rate is 38.4 per cent.

On the heels of the Ministry of Health’s report of the highest one-day total of new COVID-19 cases in months, public health expert Professor Peter Figueroa says the country is not yet at the peak of the current surge and it is time for widescalework-from-home.

Professor Figueroa has warned Jamaica is facing a very serious surge. 

Broward-County-Fastrac-728x90

“The surge has not reached the peak yet so we’re going to continue to see an increase in the number of cases, so it is really critical that everyone follows the protocols in relation to wearing masks and physical distancing; and this is particularly important in public transportation where people are right up against each other, as well as in any indoor spaces. Outdoor spaces are much safer in the open air outside, but once you’re in an enclosed room then you have to keep on your mask,” he recommended.

Professor Figueroa said the new COVID-19 containment measures the government has instituted are an important step forward, however, more needs to be done as it relates to workplaces. 

“I would really encourage people to work from home. Those companies that can have more of their workers working from home, even if it’s on a rotation basis, definitely work from home; and where possible stay at home for those who are not actively…working at this time.” 

- Advertisement -
Uber Free Rides 728x90

On Thursday, the Ministry of Health reported that more than 600 of the approximately 700 COVID-19 bed spaces available islandwide are now occupied.

 

More Stories

Haiti Citadelle Laferrière

Stampede at Haiti’s Citadelle Laferrière kills at least 30, government says

Haiti is mourning after a deadly stampede at the historic Citadelle Laferrière fortress killed at least 30 people, with authorities warning the death toll...
Gloria McField-Nixon

Gloria McField-Nixon named Cayman’s first female Deputy Governor

Gloria McField-Nixon will make history this summer as she takes up the role of Deputy Governor of the Cayman Islands, becoming the first woman...
Trinidad Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

Trinidad and Tobago declines CARICOM talks on Carla Barnett reappointment

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad‑Bissessar has publicly released a letter from Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister Sean Sobers outlining the country’s decision...
CARICOM St Kitts

CARICOM chairman says Trinidad did not attend emergency meeting on governance dispute

Terrance Drew, Chairman of the Caribbean Community, says Trinidad and Tobago did not attend a special emergency meeting convened to address governance concerns, including...
Haiti United Nations

UN warns Haiti facing one of Western Hemisphere’s worst humanitarian crises

Haiti is facing one of the most severe and rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crises in the Western Hemisphere, a senior United Nations aid official warned...

Guyana President defends CARICOM, backs SG Carla Barnett

Guyana President Irfaan Ali on Friday defended the Caribbean Community and reiterated his support for the reappointment of Carla Barnett for another five-year term,...
Belize Prime Minister John Briceño.

Belize PM backs Carla Barnett amid CARICOM leadership dispute

Belize Prime Minister John Briceño has thrown his full support behind Belizean Carla Barnett amid a growing regional dispute over her reappointment as Secretary-General...
Roosevelt Skerrit

Dominica extends tax relief amid Middle East conflict

Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says the ongoing conflict in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran is already pushing up...
Jamaica Ed Bartlett Gastronomy Academy

Minister Bartlett calls for Caribbean Tourism Bank

Jamaica's Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett is calling for the creation of a dedicated Caribbean Tourism Bank, urging the Inter-American Development Bank to champion a...

Bermuda reminds employers of minimum wage rules for student workers

The Government of Bermuda is reminding employers to comply with minimum wage requirements for students as young people begin entering the workforce during the...

Latest Articles