Warning about Rising COVID-19 in Westmoreland

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton is raising concern about the rising number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Westmoreland and the western Half of Jamaica.

He’s warning the people of Westmoreland and of the northwest Coast parishes that stricter restrictions could be placed on them if the surge in cases and deaths continue.

Dr Tufton told Parliament, Tuesday, that there was a worrying trend with the disease in the western half of Jamaica, and in particular Westmoreland. The Health Minister gave data showing that in the last two weeks there had been nearly 100 new cases and 12 deaths in the parish.

According to the Minister since COVID-19 was detected in Jamaica there have been 22 deaths i9n Jamaica but 12 of them had been in the last two weeks. He said hospitalizations in the parish for COVID19 also showed a worrying trend, with steady increases in the last three months. In October 23 people were hospitalized with COVID -19 at Savanna-la-mar hospital  and in November 55 were hospitalized, more than 100 percent up from the previous month.

Dr Tufton also identified increasing numbers for north western parishes including Hanover, St James and Trelawny and also St Ann where the numbers for COVID-19 were going in the wrong direction.

He said young people in Westmoreland were engaged in activities that quickened the spread of the virus. These included illegal parties.