In keeping with its own established protocol for infection prevention and control, the Ministry has decided to suspend operations for Friday, August 21, 2020 at its offices located on the RKA Building in New Kingston. This decision comes on the heels of an advisory that an employee assigned to that location has tested positive for COVID-19. This suspension of operation...

Returning Jamaicans and visitors to the island are being reminded to obey the protocols and rules outlined by the Government of Jamaica to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Up to Wednesday (August 18), Jamaica had recorded 17 new COVID-19 cases, bringing to 1,146, the total number of confirmed positive cases of the virus to date. Six of the...

Jamaica has recorded 17 new COVID-19 cases as at Tuesday (August 18), bringing to 1,146 the total number of confirmed positives. Also in the last 24 hours, recoveries moved to 770, as six additional persons were released from care. Of the 17 newly confirmed cases, 11 are males and six (6) females, with ages ranging from four months to 71...

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, says nearly all member countries have expressed an interest in joining the World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility. This, Dr. Etienne notes, is expected to go a far way in ensuring equitable and affordable access by these states to coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines through a collaboration with PAHO’s...

Hundreds of children aged eight to 12 will benefit from a virtual healthy lifestyle summer camp being staged by the Ministry of Health and Wellness today, Wednesday (August 19). The one-day camp, which will also target parents and teachers, will focus on increasing awareness about the importance of healthy eating and engaging in physical activity in order to combat obesity....

Coordinator of the Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality (PROMAC) in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Simone Spence, says a whole-of-society approach is critical in effectively addressing the needs of pregnant women. She contended that when an expectant mother is fully supported in all areas of her life, throughout the antenatal and postnatal period, the...

With the increase in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Jamaica, districts in St. Thomas and Clarendon under quarantine, and 18 communities in Kingston and St. Andrew being monitored, there could be a delay in the planned reopening of schools in early September. Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, gave an update during the question-and-answer segment of a virtual...