Based on the assessment of the technical team in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and after consultation with the technical team at the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), the Government has now declared community transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Jamaica. Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says this was declared on Wednesday,...

It is with regret that the Ministry of Health and Wellness reports the passing of two more persons due to COVID-19. The island also recorded 74 new positives as at Thursday (September 3). The two latest COVID-19-related deaths are of an 81-year old female from St. Ann and a 35-year-old male from Manchester. Both deceased had comorbidities, namely diabetes and...

A Trough in addition to a Tropical Wave is expected to bring increased rainfall across Jamaica on Saturday and Sunday. The Trough is expected to move across Jamaica on Saturday morning and the Tropical Wave will drift across the island on Sunday. The projections are for cloudy conditions with periods of showers and thunderstorms, which may be heavy at times,...

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has been re-elected to serve as Government for a second consecutive term, after winning the General Election, held on (Thursday) September 3. Preliminary results show that the JLP, led by the Most. Hon. Andrew Holness, has won 49 seats, while the People’s National Party (PNP), led by Dr. Peter Phillips, won 14 seats. In his victory...

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, says the authorities in member countries must continue instituting all coronavirus (COVID-19) safeguards and protocols until an approved vaccine is available. Her urging comes against the background of the growing number of COVID-19 cases across the Americas, which she said has risen to nearly 13.5 million, with deaths climbing to over...

An overwhelming number of electors has been accessing the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) website to find out where they are to vote in today’s General Election. Consequently, the ECJ has put alternative measures in place to address challenges being experienced with the portal. “The demand from electors to find out where they are to vote using our website has...

Regrettably, the Ministry of Health & Wellness confirms three additional COVID-19 related deaths. Two were previously under investigation and are now classified as COVID-19 related. The deceased are an 82 year old male from Clarendon; a 75 year old female from St. Catherine and a 65 year old male from Kingston & St. Andrew. All cases had comorbidities, namely diabetes...