National Epidemiologist Urges Increased COVID-19 Vigilance In The Workplace

National Epidemiologist, Dr. Karen Webster-Kerr, says there is need for increased adherence to the coronavirus (COVID-19) protocols in the workplace.

“All of us will need to follow the protocols. What we find happening is that when we go into (the workplace) to do our investigations, there is lapse in the protocols. Persons are eating lunch together, so you know they don’t have on their masks and there are interactions often outside of the workspace. In many places, no one is wearing a mask in the office,” she lamented.

Dr. Webster-Kerr was speaking at the weekly virtual COVID Conversations press conference on February 18.

She is encouraging persons to familiarise themselves with the workplace protocols by visiting https://www.moh.gov.jm/covid-19-workplace-protocols/.

Among the measures are the wearing of a mask, physical distancing (of at least six feet), regular hand washing and sanitising, and daily cleaning and frequent wiping of heavily used surfaces.

Workers, who develop a fever or are not feeling well, should stay home. Employees must make allowances to prevent the possibility of someone, who is symptomatic, coming to work.

Meanwhile, Dr. Webster-Kerr, noted that the country has been experiencing an increase in the positivity rate over the last few weeks.

“So while we are increasing the number of tests, the positivity rate is increasing, which is telling us that it is a true increase that we are seeing, not just because we are testing more,” she pointed out.

Dr. Webster-Kerr said Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine, St. James and Manchester have recorded the highest number of cases in the last two weeks.

She noted that almost every community has been affected by the virus, with Old Harbour, Spanish Town and Gregory Park in St. Catherine; and Mandeville, Manchester, being among the top 20 communities with the most cases.

She said that St. Catherine has the highest number of deaths followed by St. Andrew. “When we look at the rates per parish, Trelawny, Westmoreland and St. James, St. Mary, St. Ann has the highest rates,” she noted.

Jamaica had recorded 21,382 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as at February 21, with 458 over a 24-hour period.

. There are approximately 7, 846 active cases in the island.