(CMR) Jamaica recorded its highest number of COVID-19 cases in a 24-hour period, with 263 cases recorded from 1,785 samples, the Jamaica Information Service reported Friday.
The increase in the daily rate by 14.73 percent was cause for concern and a possible reflection that there may be a complacent attitude in the population regarding COVID-19 protocols, the government information arm said.
“The cases are arising more and more out of symptomatic persons presenting to health facilities. Symptomatic persons are not taking precautions at home with the result that contact tracing is yielding several positives in the households and communities. Many of these contacts are without symptoms and are not adhering to any infection prevention and control measures,” JIS stated.
The government encouraged all persons, symptomatic or not, whether they believed they were exposed or not, to wear masks and wash and sanitize their hands frequently.
Sick persons were advised to stay home, and all persons in their household must take precautions.
Health & Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton reminded Jamaicans of the need to strictly observe the COVID-19 protocols that were in place to protect them and others from contracting the coronavirus.
“I implore every Jamaican to continue to take the necessary precautions to safeguard themselves from catching and spreading COVID-19. We cannot become complacent at this time, as we still have to protect ourselves and others, especially the members of the population who are considered vulnerable to severe outcomes from the disease,” the Minister said.
Kingston & St. Andrew (70), St. Catherine (64), Manchester (46), Clarendon (32) were the parishes with the highest number of cases in the last 24-hour period.
“COVID-19 is not over; it is still a clear and present danger, as we investigate these cases, we expect that our numbers may increase even further; therefore, we need to keep washing our hands frequently or using hand sanitizer, keeping a physical distance of six feet from others; wearing our masks; avoiding crowded situations, and adhering to all the measures outlined in the Disaster Risk Management Act,” Tufton added.
The country also reported two COVID-19 related deaths on Friday, while no recoveries were on record for the 24-hour timeline.
The Health & Wellness Ministry was monitoring some 3,797 active cases across the island, with a close watch on Kingston & St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Manchester, and St. James – the parishes with the highest number of active cases in the last two weeks, JIS reported.
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