More Hospital Beds Being Prepared For COVID-19 Patients

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says the Government continues to prepare hospital facilities to accommodate more patients, should there be an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.

“In terms of hospital readiness, we continue to expand on our readiness to deal with any potential increase in the numbers for the island’s critical hospitals,” he noted at a digital press conference at the Ministry’s offices in New Kingston on March 25.

Capacity is being provided at the Kingston Public Hospital, Port Antonio Hospital, Mandeville Regional Hospital, Cornwall Regional Hospital, St. Ann’s Bay Hospital, the University Hospital of the West Indies, Bustamante Children’s Hospital and National Chest Hospital.

“We are currently operating at an isolation capacity of some 150 across the island but with the capability to accommodate up to 326 persons, should the need arise,” Dr. Tufton said.

There are 26 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Jamaica, to date, of which 17 are imported, eight are import-related, and one is still under investigation. The youngest person to test positive is a 24-year-old while the oldest is 79 years old.

Some 514 persons have come into the island from a country of interest since January 31. Of that number, 14 are under quarantine in a government facility and 237 are under home quarantine.

The home quarantine numbers do not include the residents of Seven and Eight Miles in Bull Bay or those in Corn Piece Settlement in Clarendon.