Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the stay-at-home order for persons 75 years and older has been effective in protecting the elderly from contracting the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease. Older persons are among groups most vulnerable to contracting and suffering the worst effects of the virus. “My opinion is that this has been one of the most effective measures...

Persons found to be in breach of the Government’s coronavirus (COVID-19) protocols, particularly those placed on home quarantine, are to be charged shortly. This was disclosed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, who informed that 50 cases of breaches are now under investigation and nearing completion, “and we can expect the first set of charges within the next...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the backlog of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests will be cleared by the end of this month. “There is a significant backlog and we are not satisfied with that. The Minister of Health [and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton] has committed that he will ensure that these are cleared up by the 31st...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says the Government will be revisiting the coronavirus (COVID-19) protocols put in place for community bars and taverns. Mr. McKenzie, who was addressing a digital town hall hosted by the Ministry recently, said that most of the entities have remained compliant since reopening. “I want to lift my hat to...

Acting Director of Emergency Medical Services at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Kurdell Espinosa Campbell, says that as part of emergency shelter protocols, persons who wish to use the facilities will be screened and risk-stratified before entering. “So, if you have a respiratory type illness, you will automatically be isolated to an area and transferred to a hospital,...

As at Tuesday (July 28), 10 more patients have recovered and have been released from isolation. This increase brings the cumulative number of recoveries to 724 (84.8% recovery rate). In the meantime, two new cases have been confirmed, bringing the island’s record of total confirmed cases to 855. The newly confirmed cases consist of two females aged 16 and 56...

Hundreds of families in St. James have benefited from the donation of more than 600 care packages and 2,000 face masks as part of an ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) response programme being spearheaded by the Custos of the parish, Bishop Conrad Pitkin. The Custos told JIS News that the initiative, which began in April with the support of various partners, is...