According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), coronaviruses (CoV) are a family of viruses known to cause respiratory illnesses ranging in severity from the common cold to Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.
The virus can be transmitted from animals to humans and between humans by physical contact or through the air.
Symptoms of the virus include acute onset of fever (over 38 degrees Celsius) and flu-like symptoms, including coughing and sneezing, as well as breathing difficulties.
The Court Administration Division (CAD) says bail hearings are now being conducted in some parishes through videoconferencing. The initiative began last week, in partnership with
Persons utilising the Ministry of Justice’s Restorative Justice Unit are still able to access services, as the unit remains open, but it is scaling down
The St. James Poor Relief Department has put special measures in place to safeguard indigent persons against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Speaking in an interview
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says the Government is considering publishing the names of persons who arrived in the country
The Government has started tracking 500 persons who are among those who returned to the island between March 18 and 23 and have ignored persistent
Grace Foods, a division of GraceKennedy Limited (GKL), has launched an initiative to provide meals for distribution to security personnel working on the frontline in
The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) has implemented measures to assist parents and caregivers with the continued development of their children 0-5 years during the period
The Tourism Ministry is to establish a Recovery Task Force, which will be charged with developing a blue print for a post COVID-19 tourism industry.
How to Protect Yourself and Others
The methods of preventing or decreasing the spread of the coronavirus are numerous. The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) recommends practising good personal hygiene and food safety, and exercising caution while travelling as vital ways to avoid the potentially deadly virus.
Practise Good Personal Hygiene
– Wash hands with soap and clean water or sanitise with an alcohol-based rub frequently, but especially after coming into contact with someone exhibiting flu-like symptoms; before and after preparing food; before eating and when hands are visibly dirty.
– Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
– Discard tissues and properly wash fabrics that have been used to blow the nose.
Practise Food Safety
– Thoroughly cook meat and eggs.
– Thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables.
– Avoid unprotected contact with live animals and animal carcasses.
– Use clean utensils and surfaces when preparing food.
– Properly wash hands before and after preparing food.
– Do not consume animals that are sick or that have died of disease.
On this edition of Get the Facts the Ministry of Health shares with us what is being done to slow the transmission of COVID 19
Since the introduction of the coronavirus COVID-19 to Jamaica, travelling in and out of and within the island is under greater scrutiny, to contain the
On this programme we’ll take a look at how the outbreak of COVID-19 in Jamaica applies to the Beauty Industries including salons and barbershops. Press
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread at a rapid pace, countries across the world are implementing various measures continue to implement measures to contain
We have now entered the phase where new COVID-19 cases are emerging and being transmitted from people to people. This phase is called the Community
Due to the community spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, classes have been suspended at all public schools for 14 days to contain it. The
Jamaica Information Service 