Three new cases; three additional recoveries The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Jamaica now stands at 72. This is following a report from the National Influenza Centre, which stated that in the last 24 hours, three samples have tested positive for COVID-19. The new cases are:  a 65 year old male from St. Elizabeth with no travel history,...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says a number of new opportunities will be created for stakeholders in the tourism industry when the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic ends. He cited technology as one of the tools that will “play a new and exciting and far-reaching role in the new tourism that is going to emerge.” “What the current practices are showing...

The St. James Municipal Corporation has expedited the trucking of water to communities facing shortages. Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Homer Davis, said that over 84 loads of the commodity have been delivered so far, through a $5 million allocation from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development. He noted that consistent supply of water to residents, for proper...

Jamaica now has sixty-five (65) confirmed cases of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The two new COVID-19 cases are: A 50-year-old female from St James with a travel history from New York; and A 21-year-old female from St Catherine who is under investigation. They bring to thirty-one (31) the number of imported cases, twenty-two (22) the number of import-related cases...

Jamaica will play a key role in restoring global tourism when the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic ends, says Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett. He said that the country is not only working on recovery efforts locally, but is also reaching out to assist its counterparts in the Caribbean region and elsewhere. “Jamaica is not just talking about itself…Jamaica is not just...

The Government has received the first shipment of some $1 billion worth of medical equipment and supplies that have been procured to bolster Jamaica’s coronavirus (COVID-19) response. The items, which are being stored at the National Health Fund (NHF) warehouse in Kingston, include ventilators, intensive care unit (ICU) beds, stretchers, infrared thermometers, and N95 masks. These were sourced from several...

Jamaica will not be using the antimalarial drug, hydroxychloroquine, to treat persons who have contracted the coronavirus (COVID-19), says Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie. She said that the decision was taken by the Ministry, following a recommendation from a committee of experts from across the island who are responsible for reviewing the...