245 new COVID-19 cases - Island also records one more death

Jamaica yesterday recorded its highest one-day increase in positive COVID cases with 245 new cases.

The number is higher than the total number of cases from the workplace cluster in St Catherine (236) which at one point was the epicentre of the virus. There are now 2,357 cases.

Jamaica also recorded another COVID death. The deceased is a 28-year-old female from St James.

Of the newly confirmed cases, 116 are females and 100 are males with ages ranging from two weeks to 90 years. The sex classification for 29 of the new cases is still being investigated.

The cases were recorded in Kingston and St Andrew (92), St Catherine (62), St James (27), St Thomas (15), Portland (nine), St Ann (eight), Clarendon (eight), Manchester (seven), St Elizabeth (six), Hanover (five), St Mary (four), Trelawny (one) and Westmoreland (one).

Meanwhile, former general secretary of the People's National Party, Dr DK Duncan, has been admitted to hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 yesterday.

In a release from his family, Duncan, a former member of parliament for Hanover Eastern, did the test after "experiencing some signs of sinusitis and tiredness".

"Since experiencing symptoms, Dr Duncan has been working from home and minimised contact with other individuals," the release said.

The family asked for prayers and positive vibes "as we keep faith that he shall recuperate quickly".

The Department of Correctional Services has also activated containment protocols with immediate effect at the Horizon Adult Correctional Facility following five confirmed positive COVID-19 test results yesterday. Leslie-Ann Brown, director, corporate communications and public relations at the DCS, said the entire inmate population has been put on lockdown.

No new admissions will be allowed at the facility. Brown said the Kingston and St Andrew (KSA) Health Department would lead the managing of the outbreak at the facility.