COVID everywhere! - Health ministry says virus can no longer be easily traced from one person to the other

Jamaicans can expect more COVID-19 restrictions starting Monday, as the country is now experiencing the community transmission phase of the pandemic.

The declaration was made yesterday based on assessments from the technical team in the health ministry and after consultation with representatives from the Pan American Health Organization on Wednesday.

“In making this declaration, we are alerting the public that the transmission of the virus can no longer be easily traced from one member of the population to the other,” Dr Tufton said yesterday during a virtual press conference.

He said that Jamaicans will now have to assume that everyone they come in contact with is positive. The population may see a steep rise in cases over the next six to eight weeks with a peak in cases around the end of September.

Dr Tufton said new protocols will be introduced as early as Monday to help reduce the rate at which the virus spreads, but these protocols will be outlined by Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

“These new measures will include an increase in curfew restrictions,” he said.

He noted that there will be an increase in the stay-at-home orders for the elderly, re-emphasis on the work-from-home orders for the public and private sectors, and further tightening on the restrictions on public gathering.

The Ministry of Health & Wellness reported last night that one more Jamaican died as a result of COVID-19.

The country also recorded 68 new positives, pushing the tally to 2,964.

There are now 30 COVID-19-related deaths in Jamaica.