Madam Speaker, in keeping with the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ commitment to keep this Honourable House and the people of Jamaica informed of the latest developments on COVID-19, particularly on the availability of vaccines, I rise to share the latest information on the deployment of COVID-19 vaccines in the country. Update on Vaccines in COVAX Facilities We have been...

Madam Speaker, I rise to update this honourable house and the people of Jamaica on the National COVID-19 Deployment and Vaccination Interim Plan. The Cabinet has approved a National COVID-19 Deployment and Vaccination Interim Plan as the strategy and authority on the deployment of COVID-19 Vaccine(s) in Jamaica. The Plan outlines the overall strategies for the deployment, implementation and monitoring...

Re: Update on COVID-19 and the move towards Vaccine Deployment Madam Speaker, since March of 2020, Jamaica has been on a long sojourn through many aspects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. We started with our first case, our walk through the tumultuous period of the spike in August and our ultimate declaration of community transmission in September. We have had to...

Madam Speaker, based on the information received from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, I wish to report that Jamaica has now recorded 11,875 cases of COVID-19. Of this number, 3,234 are active cases. This means that these are persons who contracted the virus and who are still able to transmit it to others. Information provided by the Ministry also...

Madame Speaker, we have seen over recent weeks the detrimental impact that COVID-19 can have on our mental health and overall sense of wellbeing. In the general population, we hear of the elevated levels of fear, anxiety and loneliness from children and parents who access the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Clinics. They admit to feeling overwhelmed and not being...

Madam Speaker, let me begin with a situational analysis of the pandemic in Jamaica. On the graph displayed, the solid black line which is now appearing shows the cumulative number of cases (7,109) as at yesterday, October 5, 2020.   Unfortunately, since our first case, we have had one hundred and twenty three (123) deaths, as depicted by the red...

Madam Speaker, the country has made a significant transition to a new phase of the COVID-19 challenge. This phase is defined as community transmission that has resulted in: 1. Higher numbers of persons being infected with the virus (without a direct link as to where they would have contracted the virus); 2. Higher numbers of severe cases that are in...

Mr. Speaker… On July 15, I announced the easing of restrictions to allow the gradual return of entertainment events, effective July 21. It was made very clear that all the public health protocols among other rules, had to be followed so that this breathing space could be expanded. Let me be frank Mr. Speaker. I am very disappointed that after...