Jamaica recorded a surge in coronavirus cases on Tuesday, with three new deaths and a one-day record of 120 infections.

Dead are a 76-year-old woman from St Catherine, an 89-year-old woman from Kingston and St Andrew, and a 70-year-old man, also from Kingston and St Andrew.

Total deaths from COVID-19 now stand at 19, with 1,732 overall infections.

The jump in fatalities marks new territory in the Holness administration’s fight against the new coronavirus, as criticism grows about the decision not to impose the usual austere holiday curfews in August.

A looming election in eight days’ time after mass campaigns also presents new concerns.

Of the newly confirmed cases, 72 were recorded in St Catherine, 23 in Kingston and St Andrew, 15 in Portland, among others in St Thomas, Clarendon, Trelawny, St Ann, and St Mary.

Five moderately ill patients and three critically ill patients are among the 801 active cases.

Some 29,560 persons of interest are quarantined at home, while18 remain in quarantine at a government facility.