‘Emancipendence’ events blamed for COVID spike - Campaign activities yet to factor

Jamaica's health ministry has linked the spike in the country's COVID-19 cases to activities across the island during the 'Emancipendence' period.

The country yesterday recorded 98 new cases, the highest in a day, but the health authorities have not made a link to the numbers with heightened political activities.

Dr Jacqueline Bisasor-McKenzie, the country's chief medical officer, noted that the incubation period for the virus is up to 14 days, and in Jamaica's case, the evidence has pointed to an incubation period of five to seven days.

"What we are seeing is probably resulting from activities that occurred over the holiday period of August 1 to 6," she said. "We know that there were a number of gatherings and parties at that time and we believe that some of what is happening now two weeks later is as a result of those activities."

Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said that the rise in the cases "is cause for concern" even as he indicated that he has "not been given any report to suggest that" campaign activities could be influencing the numbers. Thousands of Jamaicans, many of whom do not wear marks or observe social distancing guidelines, have been on the campaign trail, showing support to their political parties ahead of the September 3 general election. The health ministry said that of the 98 new cases, 53 are from Kingston and St Andrew. Only 10 are of a backlog that existed.

15 deaths

A Clarendon male,74, died from the novel coronavirus yesterday, taking the number of deaths to 15.

Jamaica has recorded 232 positive COVID-19 cases since Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the date for general elections.

The country's COVID-19 cases have jumped from 1,058 on August 11, the day the election was announced, to 1,290 on Thursday.

Tufton said that the political parties have been making efforts to follow the protocols to contain the virus. He said that election campaigning is part of the country's democracy that is accompanied by "significant festivities and it is a motivator for participation, which is something you don't want to discourage".

Tufton said that a sub-committee of Cabinet will meet today to discuss the recent spike and possible actions. Tufton also said that the sub-committee will determine whether it is necessary to quarantine the entire St Thomas, following a recommendation from the health authorities. St Thomas has seen the number of cases moving from three to 107 in the last three weeks. Five communities, Church Corner, Summit, Bamboo River, Seaforth and Albion, have been locked down until September 2. Bisasor-McKenzie said that the positivity rate in the parish is 7.8 per cent, compared to the national rate of 2.8.