News Briefs

Telethon raises $50m, more pledges being made

Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister Olivia Grange has revealed that the Telethon Jamaica: Together We Stand held on Sunday has raised more than $50 million to help the island tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are grateful for this response from Jamaicans at home and abroad, as well as friends of Jamaica who responded to this telethon," Grange said yesterday. "Thanks to their kind donations we are now able to contribute over $50 million towards procuring the personal protective equipment for our front-line workers. We say a big thank you to everyone who was able to donate. We appreciate you.”

The minister said the six-hour telethon is still being viewed across the world and donations are still trickling in.

To make a donation, persons may visit www.jatogetherwestand.com for details.

Clarendon teen on the run from home quarantine

The police are urgently seeking the public’s assistance to locate 17-year-old Krisson Lodge, of a Belle Plain address in Clarendon, who skipped home after being placed under quarantine.

The police did not say when she ran away, but they indicated that the Clarendon Health Department has reported that all efforts to locate her have proven futile.

It is being reported that as she is still within the high-risk period, persons should not accommodate her if she turns up.

Krisson Lodge or anyone knowing her whereabouts is being asked to immediately contact the Clarendon Health Department at 876-986-9043 or the police at 119.

No ban on funerals, says McKenzie

Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie has indicated that funerals can continue but they must be conducted in full compliance with the Disaster Risk Management Order.

McKenzie gave the reassurance following concerns raised by members of the public.

“I have been receiving many enquiries as to whether funerals will be permitted in this time of COVID-19. There is no ban on funerals. However, I wish to reiterate that no more than 10 persons can attend a funeral,” he said in a statement, adding that the officiating clergy was included in the 10.

“Social distancing is also to be practised at all times before, during and after the funerals,” the minister stressed.

Cuba develops vaccine to combat COVID-19

HAVANA, Cuba (CMC):

The director of research at the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Cuba, Dr Gerardo Guillen, says a clinical trial is now being held for a vaccine aimed at activating the immune system to combat COVID-19.

Speaking during a recent television interview, Guillen said that the drug, called CIGB 2020, is undergoing trials at the Luis Diaz hospital in Havana with volunteer patients suspected of being carriers of the disease.

He says the drug is nasally and sublingually administered to strengthen these areas, and encouraging results have already been observed regarding the activation of the innate immune system, which is very important to successfully combat this disease.