Jamaica has declared community transmission of COVID-19, signaling a new phase of the island’s experience with the pandemic.
“Based on the assessment of the technical team in the Ministry of Health and Wellness and after consultation with the technical team at the PAHO/WHO on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, I am now advising the Public that Jamaica is declaring community transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” revealed Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton at a media brief earlier this afternoon.
SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19.
“Community transmission means the inability to relate confirmed cases through chains of transmission for a large number of cases, and the increasing positive tests through sentinel samples, especially from persons coming to health centres and hospitals,” he added.
“In making this declaration, we are alerting the public that the transmission of the virus can no longer be easily traced from one member of the population to the other and that the concern for the transmission for COVID-19 is now islandwide,” the Minister said further.
This phase of the pandemic may mean that the island will, over the next several weeks, see a steep rise in the number of cases reported. While the majority of persons will not have symptoms that will require them to visit a doctor or be hospitalised, more persons may seek medical attention in private and public facilities. Persons with mild symptoms are encouraged to stay at home and to seek medical care if their condition gets worse.
“This stage of the pandemic will also mean that we will need to strengthen the infection prevention and control measures to reduce the rate of spread within the population and, more importantly, protect the vulnerable,” the Minister noted.
The public health team has begun to re-examine the protocols already in place and will issue new protocols to better guide the public on how to operate within the context of this new phase.
This new phase will also result in new measures that will come into effect on Monday, September 7 (2020). These measures may include:
- The increase in the curfew restrictions across the island;
- An increase in the stay-at-home orders for the elderly;
- Restrictions on public gatherings; as well as
- A re-emphasis on the work-from-home orders for the private and public sectors.
“We have prepared and continue to prepare the infrastructure within the health sector to respond appropriately to this phase of the pandemic,” the Minister said.
As such and in accordance with the national response plan, there is, among other things:
- Continued coordination with local and international partners;
- Ongoing strengthening of the capacity of lab resources to include collaboration with private labs; and
- Ongoing work to increase the hospital bed capacity as well as to increase the cadre of staff available to respond to patient needs.
There is also the commitment to ensure effective communication with all stakeholders within the population; and the continued surveillance and management at the points of entry, including airports and seaports, to reduce the number of imported cases.
“There is no need for panic,” the Minister encouraged.
“What is required at this time is a commitment from all Jamaicans to take personal responsibility for their health and to take every precaution necessary to prevent yourself from contracting the virus,” he added.
If you become infected, you also should not panic.
“Instead, ensure that you make every effort to boost your immunity through exercise and having an appropriate diet. Call our helplines for guidance if there are any signs of increased complications. I also encourage persons, especially persons 65 years and over or persons with hypertension and diabetes, to pay close attention to any symptoms that you have that could be a sign of COVID-19. If they worsen, seek advice early from a medical professional,” the Minister said.
“I urge continued vigilance from the entire population and remind you to practice all infection prevention and control protocols. Now, more than ever, we must take personal responsibility for our health,” he said further.