Jamaica records three more COVID deaths

The staggering surge in Jamaica's COVID-19 numbers continued yesterday with the country confirming a record 120 cases and three additional deaths.

The deceased are a 76-year-old female from St Catherine, as well as an 89-year-old female and 70-year-old male both from Kingston and St Andrew. In light of the rising numbers, the Ministry of Health and Wellness renewed its call for members of the public to avoid gatherings, including attending parties and special events. According to the ministry, several of the recent cases are linked to public gatherings. "In a recent investigation, it was uncovered that from a single party held in Portland, 14 confirmed cases have arisen," the ministry said.

The latest confirmed cases bring to 319, the number of novel coronavirus cases confirmed on the island since Sunday.

Alarmingly, the number of active coronavirus cases has moved from 82 on August 1, to 801 yesterday. With the newly confirmed positives, Jamaica's novel coronavirus cases have soared to 1,732. The health ministry said that the newly confirmed cases were recorded in St Catherine (72), Kingston and St Andrew (23), Portland (15), St Thomas (five), Clarendon (one), Trelawny (one), St Ann (two) and St Mary (one). There are five moderately ill patients and three critically ill patients. The number of recoveries stands at 840.