Strain under probe as 20 UK travellers positive for virus

Twenty of the 301 passengers who arrived in Jamaica from the United Kingdom on Monday have tested positive for COVID-19, along with four of their close contacts.

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton last evening advised that the positive samples would be sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency to determine if they are of the variant strain of COVID-19, which has triggered a new wave of panic in Europe and countries around the world this week

The ministry further advised that the results for two passengers were still pending, while some 267 passengers – excluding the close contacts – who tested negative have been transferred from state to home quarantine. They have been fitted with armbands and are being closely monitored by the relevant parish health teams and the police.

Family members are being reminded that they must strictly adhere to the infection prevention and control measures when picking up their relatives as well as during the mandatory quarantine period as these persons may still develop symptoms in the next 14 days and transmit the virus to others.