Jamaica’s capacity to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been further boosted through a US$75-million loan commitment from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). An IDB communiqué on Thursday (March 11) indicated that the provision is earmarked to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of public policy and fiscal management, in response to the health and economic crises resulting from COVID-19. The...

Jamaica is among at least seven countries that are slated to receive nearly 2.3 million doses of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines through the World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) facility, over the next few weeks. Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, said that the provision forms part of the 28.7 million doses scheduled for delivery...

Jamaica is to receive technical assistance from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to strengthen its health systems and services. This follows Cabinet’s approval for the Ministry of Health and Wellness to enter into an agreement with PAHO for the provision of technical assistance through a voluntary contribution. Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Fayval Williams, made the disclosure...

Former Prime Ministers, the Most Hon. PJ Patterson and the Hon. Bruce Golding, have joined the call for Jamaicans to take the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. They were among persons who received the injection at The Good Samaritan’s Inn in Kingston on Wednesday (March 10), on the first day of the implementation of the vaccine programme. Mr. Patterson said that the...

The Government has allocated $10.5 billion to the Ministry of Health and Wellness for special expenses related to the coronavirus (COVID-19). This includes $6 billion for the procurement, storage, distribution and administration of vaccines; $1 billion for personal protective equipment (PPE); $1 billion for drugs and reagents; $2 billion for the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) to pay arrears to suppliers;...

Director of the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Errol Greene, became the first person in western Jamaica to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as the Government’s vaccination programme commenced on March 10. The vaccine was given to Mr. Greene at the Cornwall Regional Hospital’s vaccination centre, which is one of three facilities in St. James where the drug was being administered...

NEW CASES 24 HRS OVERALL NOTES Confirmed Cases 695 28,968   SEX CLASSIFICATION       Females 409 16,239   Males 286 12,726   Under Investigation 0 3   AGE RANGE 4 days to 91 years 1 day to 104 years             PARISH CLASSIFICATION OF NEW CASES       Clarendon 23 1,594   Hanover...