Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, is encouraging Jamaicans to consider virtual gatherings for family get-togethers during the upcoming Christmas season. He said that virtual events are the safest approach during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, especially for older relatives and those with comorbidities. “There are alternatives to the traditional approach to celebrating Christmas, and the concept of...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is advising that all antigen tests for detection of the coronavirus (COVID-19) must be ordered by a doctor. Director for National Laboratory Services at the Ministry, Dr. Michelle Hamilton, said that the antigen test is similar to other medical tests conducted in laboratories, which must be sanctioned by a physician to whom the results...

Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) Regional Director, Michael Bent (right), aids members of staff to pack equipment, including a generator, donated by the US Embassy for distribution to facilities within the region on Wednesday, November 18 2020 on the SRHA grounds. The overall cost of the equipment donated by the US Embassy is approximately J$3.4 million dollars. This will help...

NEW CASES 24 HRS OVERALL NOTES Confirmed Cases 59 10,600   SEX CLASSIFICATION       Males 33 4,825   Females 25 5,772   Under Investigation 1 3   AGE RANGE 4 years to 78 years 1 day to 104 years           PARISH CLASSIFICATION OF NEW CASES       Clarendon 1 487   Hanover 1...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says that the ticketing system for breaches of the coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines will be ready soon. Mr. Holness, who was responding to questions during the recent sitting of the House of Representatives, said the provisions will be presented to the Legislative Committee shortly. He informed that the Ministries of Health and Wellness, Justice,...

Assistant Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, says work is under way to develop the first public tender process that will facilitate bids from manufacturers to supply countries with coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines. Speaking during PAHO’s COVID-19 digital briefing on Wednesday (November 25), Dr. Barbosa said the process is being spearheaded by PAHO and UNICEF, which...

A National Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccine Coordinating Committee is to be established shortly, says Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton. He said the committee will “involve members of different stakeholder groups to begin to put in place plans for distributing the vaccine once it is available”. Dr. Tufton made the announcement while responding to questions regarding COVID...