Jamaica has now recorded 105 coronavirus cases and its fifth COVID-19-related death. A 63-year-old woman from Portland succumbed to the virus on Tuesday, the same day the Health Ministry reported an additional 32 COVID-19 cases—31 in St. Catherine and one in Kingston and St. Andrew—bringing Jamaica’s total number of cases to 105. The new cases include five males and 27 females, ranging from 19 to 70 years old. A total of 1,290 samples have been tested.
Health and Wellness Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, informed The Gleaner that 31 of the 32 new cases are linked to the Alorica call centre in Portmore, St. Catherine. Two of their employees recently tested positive for the coronavirus, leading to a subsequent closure of the business. Prime Minister Andrew Holness says it is clear that some call centres were not observing the orders for COVID containment. He says he has requested an investigation into the circumstances under which the outbreak happened at Alorica, and for charges to be pursued.
Here’s a breakdown of Coronavirus cases:
Hanover, Trelawny, St. Thomas: 0 cases
Westmoreland, St. Mary, St. Elizabeth, Portland, St. James: 1 – 5 cases
St. Ann, Manchester: 7- 9 cases
Clarendon, Kingston & St. Andrew: 15 – 21 cases
St. Catherine: 36 cases
Total # of cases: 105
Total deaths: 5
Recoveries: 21
Imported cases: 31
Contacts of confirmed cases: 34
Local transmission: 6
Under investigation 34
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced a seven-day lock down in St Catherine, which will run from Wednesday, April 15 to 5:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 22.
Persons who need to do grocery shopping will have to adhere to the following schedule:
Allowed shopping hours: Wednesday, April 15 and Saturday, April 18
Persons must shop by age group and surnames, with identification:
65 years and over: 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Surnames ending with A-M: 10:00 am – 1:30 pm
Surnames ending with N-Z: 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm
The Prime Minister has also said corner shops, hospitals, pharmacies and supermarkets will remain open. All entry and exit points in St Catherine will now be police check points. The police will be required to take people’s temperatures at these check points. Persons without a fever will be allowed go through.
Brielle 