The Ministry of Health has released an active Covid-19 map by community in Jamaica.

Yesterday, Jamaican declared community transmission of the SARS-CoV2 virus.

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.

#COVID19 Update: I am now advising the Public that Jamaica is declaring community transmission of the SARS-CoV2 virus. @christufton

— MOHW JA (@themohwgovjm) September 4, 2020

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.

— MOHW JA (@themohwgovjm) September 4, 2020

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.

— MOHW JA (@themohwgovjm) September 4, 2020

This change in the phase of the pandemic may mean that over the next 6 – 8 weeks the population may see a steep rise in the number of cases reported.

— MOHW JA (@themohwgovjm) September 4, 2020

While the majority of persons will not have symptoms that will require them to visit a doctor or be hospitalized; more persons are expected to seek medical attention in private and public facilities.

— MOHW JA (@themohwgovjm) September 4, 2020

Early discussions with the Prime-Minister will result in new measures that will come into effect on Monday, September 7, 2020.

— MOHW JA (@themohwgovjm) September 4, 2020

The new measures may include:
1.The increase in the curfew restrictions to 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM across the island;
2. stay at home orders for the elderly;
3.Re-emphasis on the work from orders for the private and public sector; and Restrictions on public gathering.

— MOHW JA (@themohwgovjm) September 4, 2020

The major focus of the health team therefore, in accordance with the plan, is to:
1.Continue the coordination with our different partners locally and internationally;

— MOHW JA (@themohwgovjm) September 4, 2020

2. Reorient our surveillance systems to assist in the creation of appropriate management information for effective and efficient decision making;
3.Strengthen the capacity of our lab resources to include collaboration with private labs;

— MOHW JA (@themohwgovjm) September 4, 2020

4.Continue to strengthen the support for hospitals through increased bed capacity by 600 and increase the cadre of staff available to respond to patient needs;
5.Ensure the effective communication with all levels and stakeholders within the population; and

— MOHW JA (@themohwgovjm) September 4, 2020

6.Continue the surveillance and management at the points of entry to include our airports and seaports to reduce the number of imported cases.

— MOHW JA (@themohwgovjm) September 4, 2020