Jamaica: Jamaica has reported 458 new COVID-19 cases and five virus-related deaths in the last 24 hours.
This brings the total number of cases since the country’s outbreak to 21,328 and the death toll to 396.
According to the Ministry of Health & Wellness, the latest victims consist of a 47-year-old female from St Elizabeth, a 68-year-old female from St Catherine, a 55-year-old female from St Catherine, a 64-year-old male from St Elizabeth, and an 87-year-old male from Trelawny.
The ministry said two of the deaths were previously classified as under investigation. Two more deaths were reported as coincidental yesterday, while one was classified as under investigation.
Meanwhile, the newly reported cases consist of 180 males and 278 females with ages ranging from one day to 91 years.
The cases were registered in Kingston and St Andrew (131), St James (50), St Catherine (47), Clarendon (43), St Ann (40), Trelawny (29), Westmoreland (27), Manchester (25), St Thomas (18), Portland (17), Hanover (14), St Elizabeth (nine) and St Mary (eight).
The country also recorded 48 recoveries bringing the total recoveries to 12,931.
As Jamaica plans to receive its first shipment of vaccines, Prime Minister Andrew Holness is appealing for citizens to not become complacent regarding the gravity of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and to continue to adhere to the infection prevention and control measures.
He said that the situation demands continued vigilance as it will take some time for the majority of the population to receive the vaccine.
“So, I want my Jamaican brothers and sisters to appreciate that we are still in the danger zone, and so the vaccine that is readily available to us is the mask, the social distancing, the hand sanitizing, the gathering rules, and how you conduct yourself.
“These have always been the first and foremost methods of protecting yourself against the disease, and I want to urge our Jamaicans to bear that in mind. Continue to wear your mask, continue to observe the infection prevention protocols, continue to observe the curfews,” he stressed.
