Clarendon on COVID radar - Third coronavirus patient dies as more cases linked to Corn Piece man
Published:Thursday | April 2, 2020 | 12:00 AMEdmond Campbell and Cecelia Campbell-Livingston/Gleaner Writers
Jamaica has registered two COVID-19-linked deaths in as many days and, on Wednesday, recorded an almost 16 per cent increase in the number of persons who have tested positive for the respiratory disease.
With positive cases rising by six to 44, a third COVID-19-related death was revealed yesterday – that of a 41-year-old man from Westmoreland who had a travel history from the United Kingdom. He tested positive on March 23 and died yesterday from renal failure.
At the same time, the Ministry of Health and Wellness said that the cause of death of the 58-year-old man who had contracted the disease and had reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest was now being reviewed.
The six new positive cases are linked to Corn Piece Settlement in Clarendon, where Jamaica’s first COVID-19 death was recorded. He was a 79-year-old man who had returned from New York. One of the six tested positive yesterday also had a travel history from New York.
The communities of Longville Park, Hayes, and Portland Cottage were listed as areas of concern by Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton during Wednesday’s digital media briefing.
The news triggered anxiety among residents of Longville Park, but vice-president of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Oneil Hamilton, said there was no cause for alarm.
According to him, although the health minister had just disclosed the information in relation to the community, news had earlier emerged that there were three people placed under quarantine.
“We were hoping that the results would have returned negative, and we commend the Clarendon Health Department for being proactive as the individuals were immediately quarantined the minute the news was announced of the first COVID-19 death,” he told The Gleaner yesterday evening.
CURBING SPREAD
Hamilton said that the quick action of the health authorities prevented any mass spread of the virus and assuaged the fears of the Clarendon neighbourhood at a time when the Government expects community transmission to surge.
He also had high praises for the family involved who are related to the man who died at Mandeville Hospital.
“There is no need for the community to panic ... but what I will say is that I am concerned by the lack of regard some have been placing regarding social distancing. That is more of an issue,” he told The Gleaner.
Meanwhile, chief medical officer in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie, said that the quarantine placed on Corn Piece Settlement in Clarendon could be extended for 48 hours to allow the authorities to conduct a final review before lifting the restrictions.
The ministry is expected to release further results from tests conducted in the area today.
At the same time, the 13-year-old boy from Kingston who tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday is said to be in isolation, with symptoms of a sore throat.
Beginning tomorrow, the health and wellness ministry will roll out its mobile testing units across the country with the South East and North East regional health authorities being the first areas to be visited by the units.