Two weeks after Jamaica’s first imported coronavirus (COVID-19) patient was confirmed, Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the disease has made a tremendous impact on the country. Jamaica’s first patient tested positive on March 10. To date, 21 cases have been confirmed by the Government. “The disease has the medical and public health aspects to it, but once...

The Government will be purchasing rapid test kits for the coronavirus (COVID-19). Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon Christopher Tufton, said that the kits should arrive in the island within a few weeks. He said that a protocol will be established to enable approved public health facilities to use the kits to test persons for the virus. Dr....

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is ramping up surveillance and testing as the country approaches the final stage of the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), which is community transmission. “We are now testing all severe, acute respiratory illnesses that are presenting to our hospitals,” said Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie She noted that, initially, “we were testing only...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is encouraging individuals and establishments to comply with stipulated safeguards outlined by the Government to curtail further spread of the highly infectious coronavirus (COVID-19) in Jamaica. His appeal comes against the background of two persons being arrested and charged for breaching regulations under the Disaster Risk Management Act. Speaking at a press conference...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, revealed today (March 23), that two additional cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) have been confirmed, bringing the total number of infected persons to 21. Speaking at a press conference at Jamaica House, the Prime Minister said that beginning on Wednesday, March 25, there will be restriction on persons 75 years old and over,...

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has signed an order under the Risk Management Act (Enforcement  Measures) 2020 implementing incoming airport passenger restrictions while allowing travel to Jamaican citizens entering the island. Prime Minister Andrew Holness signed the order after consultations and careful consideration for especially those citizens who would have previously booked a return travel to the island prior to the...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, announced on Friday (March 20), that three additional cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) have been confirmed, bringing the total to 19 in the island. The new cases pertain to a 38-year-old United States male citizen with a history of travel from Boston, who arrived in the island on March 14; a 30-year-old female...