From the 844 new samples tested as at Monday (June 22), the National Surveillance Unit in the Ministry of Health & Wellness has reported that six (6) samples have tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Jamaica to 665. Meanwhile, the island’s recoveries remained at 516. The recovery rate now stands at 77.6%....

Member of Parliament for St. Catherine North Eastern, Leslie Campbell, is now a Cabinet Minister. Mr. Campbell has been appointed Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation. He was sworn in at King’s House on Monday (June 22) by Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, on the advice of Prime Minister, the...

Chief Public Health Inspector for Westmoreland, Steve Morris, is advising residents who come into close contact with animals as part of their job, to take extra precaution against leptospirosis. In an interview with JIS News, Mr. Morris noted that the disease is regarded as an occupational health disease, meaning that persons who work with animals, such as farmers, cane cutters,...

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) is pleased with the response from schools for its first online competition, under the theme ‘Perform a Yaad’. The group-based competition, which was launched on the JCDC’s Facebook and Instagram pages, targets previous participants of the JCDC’s National Festival of the Performing Arts, and covers the five performing arts subject areas – Dance, Drama,...

Approximately $11 million was spent at recent farmers’ markets and business fairs organised by the Social Development Commission (SDC) as the agency tries to keep community businesses in operation during this period of economic downturn, caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19). Public Relations Manager of the SDC, Mandel McKulsky, told JIS News that the amount in sales is from seven farmers’...

As at Sunday (June 21), two Jamaican males, ages 39 and 40 are the latest confirmed COVID-19 cases in Jamaica. These two bring the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 659. The two new cases are imported, having arrived in the island recently from Dallas, Texas, USA. One is of a Clarendon address, while the other has an address...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Zavia Mayne, is encouraging business operators to participate in the Jamaica Productivity Centre (JPC) survey, which focuses on the impact of COVID-19. Addressing a World Productivity Day virtual seminar, on June 19, the State Minister said the survey will help the business sector to “journey” through the pandemic....