ODPEM Confirms 45 Deaths, 13 Missing; 32 Cases Still Under Investigation Following Hurricane Melissa

Thirty‑two deaths remain under investigation in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s passage in October.

Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle, reported that the confirmed death toll stands at 45, with 13 persons still unaccounted for.

“Our thoughts remain with the families of those we’ve lost,” he said during Wednesday’s (December 10) Post-Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House.

Meanwhile, Commander Gayle shared that in the aftermath of the hurricane, there have been 84 suspected and 30 confirmed cases of leptospirosis.

To date, there have been 12 leptospirosis‑related deaths, seven of which have been officially confirmed.

The Director General further reported two cases of tetanus, including one resulting in death.

“These figures underscore the scale of the human impact and the seriousness with which the ministries, departments and agencies of Government continue to approach the recovery effort. As of last evening (December 9), 101 emergency shelters remain open across seven parishes, housing 1,061 persons,” he indicated.

Commander Gayle noted that while the road to recovery is long, Jamaica is progressing steadily from the emergency response into the early recovery phase and onward to rebuilding.

“We affirm that no community will be forgotten. The ODPEM and other local authorities, international partners, the private sector, faith-based and community organisers are united in a single mission to restore lives, livelihoods and dignity, and to build back better, safer and stronger,” he declared.