The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is recommending that member countries prioritise rapid antigen testing for persons experiencing coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms and who are at risk of spreading the virus. Speaking during PAHO’s weekly digital COVID-19 media briefing on Wednesday (January 19), Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, said the recommendation comes against the background of surging COVID-19 cases across the region,...

The Government of Mexico has donated a supply of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines to Jamaica. The vaccines arrived by aircraft at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on Friday (January 14).

Poison Information Coordinator at the Caribbean Poison Information Network (CARPIN), Sherika Whitelocke-Ballingsingh, is urging engagement of the public on the impact of lead in paint on public health. In an interview with JIS News, Mrs. Whitelocke-Ballingsingh, who is also Vice Chair of the Bureau of Standards Jamaica’s Paint and Surface Coatings Technical Committee, explained that it is important for the...

Tourism stakeholders and other business interests are appealing to Jamaicans to get vaccinated, noting that it is the only proven strategy to counter the onslaught of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic. The stakeholders, which include hoteliers, attraction owners, craft traders, duty-free merchants and transport operators, said that it has become clear that nothing less than a concerted effort and “collective responsibility”...

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says the Government continues to implement measures to protect the population from the coronavirus (COVID-19). According to the Minister, the Administration is very sensitive to the plight of persons who have been affected by the virus and is attempting to improve the response and to “find ways to protect the...

The Black River Hospital (BRH) in St. Elizabeth has benefitted from donations aimed at improving healthcare in rural Jamaica. On Wednesday, January12, the hospital received two phototherapy lamps for its Paediatric Unit from District Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Jamaica & the Cayman Islands and two bariatric wheelchairs for plus-sized patients from the We Care Social Outreach Development...

Effective Wednesday (January 19, 2022), Jamaica’s public hospitals will be restricted to conducting emergency care services only. This comes as several of the island’s public hospitals face increased pressure due to the growing number of confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases. There is also decreased staff coverage as many healthcare workers are out sick. Up to Sunday, there were some 682...