Jamaica records 101 COVID-19 deaths

The alarming rise in the number of COVID-19 deaths has led the parliamentary opposition to suggest that the Government is not on top of the management of the pandemic.

Jamaica on Monday crossed the 100-death mark after eight persons died from the illness. The number now stands at 101, with another eight under investigation.

The infection count on the island is 6,408 with cases ranging from 1 day to 104 years old.

"We have gone from 21 (deaths) on August 31, to 101 (deaths) today, a mere 30 days. We are seeing the hospitalisation numbers increasing and we are seeing that there is a swing between those who are moderately ill and those who are critically ill," Dr Morais Guy, the opposition spokesman on health, said.

"It suggests that we are not on top of what we would want to happen and to prevent in this country," he added.

Health minister Dr Christopher Tufton said that the exponential rise in deaths is a feature of the community transmission phase.

Community transmission

"Once you get to the phase where you are not able to effectively trace every positive case, which is the definition of community transmission, then it becomes that much more difficult to pick up cases or to avoid spread until people turn up at a healthcare facility with advance symptoms, which reduces the chances of successful treatment," Tufton said.

As of yesterday, some 137 persons were hospitalised, 26 of whom are deemed moderately ill and 16 critically ill.

Tufton said that Jamaica, with the addition of spaces in field hospitals, has about 550 COVID-19 beds, but warned that the complexion could change quickly if persons fail to observe the recommended public health protocols.

"It may seem a distance between 100 to 500, but if we don't play the role that we all need to play, we could fill up those beds very quickly," Tufton said.

Tufton also said that the ministries of National Security and Justice have been asked to develop a ticketing system for enforcement of COVID measures by the police.

He said that while the orders mandate the wearing of mask in public, there has been an issue with the enforcement. He said that a statement could be made on the matter by the justice minister as early as next week.