PNP says spike in COVID-19 cases a worrying trend

Dr Morais Guy, opposition spokesperson on Health and Wellness, says the spike in the number of positive cases of coronavirus presents a worrying trend for the nation.

He added that Jamaica had seen an 80 per cent jump in the number of persons who have been hospitalised as the  COVID-19 cases inches towards 900.

According to Dr Guy, between July 19 and July 20, the COVID-19 admission had a dramatic jump from five to 35 positive patients.

He said with a backlog of 10,000 test results and the tardiness of the government in doing these tests, it is uncertain as to the true level of community spread and every Jamaican must take necessary steps to ensure their own safety as the number of cases increases. This, he said, is critical in order to prevent the health system from being overwhelmed beyond its capacity.

“The extent of community spread is uncertain, and the government has scaled back on the testing of incoming passengers while pursuing a strategy to re-open the country and get the economy moving again. However, as the number of positive cases increases, the wearing of masks, frequent hand washing and social distancing must be maintained. It is our defence against COVID-19 and protection of the Jamaican society.”

On the basis that Florida accounts for the bulk of incoming passengers to Jamaica, and is now the new epicentre for the virus, Dr Guy said established measures to guard against the disease must be maintained, and passengers arriving from Florida should be carefully screened and tested before they are allowed to mingle freely with the rest of the population.

He is once again calling for pretesting of passengers, especially those coming from anywhere in the United States, before they board flights to Jamaica.

This, he says. must be considered in order to offer Jamaicans at home some level of assurance that their health matters, even as the country re-opens.

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