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Tivoli seniors not taking any chances with coronavirus

Published:Saturday | June 27, 2020 | 12:22 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
Ann-Marie Nichols (left), 65, and Gloria Mendez, 83, is greeted by her great grandson five-year-old Jovane Gallimore, while speaking about their concerns with the recent cases of COVID-19 in their community. Personnel from the Ministry of Health & Wellness
Ricardo Makyn
Ann-Marie Nichols (left), 65, and Gloria Mendez, 83, is greeted by her great grandson five-year-old Jovane Gallimore, while speaking about their concerns with the recent cases of COVID-19 in their community. Personnel from the Ministry of Health & Wellness have visited Tivoli Gardens to conduct surveillance and tests after five persons tested positive for COVID-19.

WITH NEWS that at least five persons in their community contracted COVID-19, senior residents of Tivoli Gardens who are among the most vulnerable to the highly contagious disease are getting tested, sanitising and staying home.

Since Wednesday, the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) has been in the west Kingston area conducting surveillance work following the recent confirmation of the cases.

The Gleaner has learnt that the infected persons are contacts of a confirmed case who recently returned from the United States.

During a visit by The Gleaner yesterday, 61-year-old Mavis Graham said that she was eagerly awaiting her results.

“Dem don’t tell we when we a get back the results. They took my name and number and say they will call if anything. Well, mi nuh feel no way cause a nuh round here so dem find it,” she said. However, Graham said she got tested because she visited the location in which persons tested positive.

She had an issue with the wearing of mask, complaining about discomfort with breathing.

The elderly residents who spoke to The Gleaner said that health officials have removed the person suspected to have travelled from New York to the area, who had the virus.

Andrea Johnson, 55, took issue with the manner in which things unfolded. “Dem send him through the airport to come and quarantine at his house and dem don’t know how the facilities at the house stay. If you come in to quarantine at your house you suppose to have your own facilities, your bathroom and bedroom by yourself and them suppose to check your house before they send you to go do home quarantine.”

Not worried

Sonia Strachan, 57, who lives close to the affected area, told our news team that she was not worried.

“I wear my mask, I sanitise. I don’t harbour visitors, so I don’t worry,” Strachan said.

Sixty-five-year-old retiree Ann Marie Nichols said, “I stay inside unless I have to go out. I get my care package delivered to my door. The young ones treat us good and look out for us.”

Another resident, 83-year-old Gloria Mendez, told The Gleaner that she has been following the guidelines and even did a test to be on the safe side.

“Me deh ya look pon life, me want some money ina mi hand fi do my business. I usually go out but I don’t go out again, dem say mi must stay home. We nuh mix, we stay in our corner,” Mendez told The Gleaner, referencing her friend Ann-Marie.

Other seniors told our news team that they got tested because of underlying illnesses.

Donnette Lindo, 57, suffers from high blood pressure.

Lindo, who was waiting in line to be tested, told The Gleaner, “I’m here because of my high blood pressure. I have high blood pressure and just want to know that I am OK.”

The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) representatives, up to 4 p.m. yesterday, were in the community conducting surveillance work and doing testing.

The health authorities had initially planned to complete the exercise by Thursday. However, it appears the magnitude of work was greater than projected.