Jamaica’s Mpox and COVID-19 infection cases remain low

Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness continues its efforts to prevent the spread of mpox and COVID-19, resulting in low infection rates.

Dr Christopher Tufton, Minister of the Portfolio, stated that as of December 15, there were 18 confirmed cases of Mpox, but just one was active.

“Sixteen of the 18 were locally transmitted, which means we have to do contact tracing in the wider population, at least where those persons were in contact with the other persons. But the fact that we have had a significant recovery is an indication that the Ministry and the team would have done what needed to be done to address and to control that issue,” he stated.

During a recent end-of-year press conference at the Ministry in New Kingston, Dr Tufton delivered the specifics.

He also stated that the Ministry’s National Surveillance Unit continues to capture and monitor COVID-19 infections.

With a positive rate of 2.8%, Dr Tufton reported that the overall number of COVID-19 deaths stands at 3,452, with 349 currently under study and 295 considered coincidental.

“[From] December 6 to 12, we confirmed 42 new cases, bringing our total case count to 152,711,” he disclosed.

According to data, approximately 96% of confirmed deaths since the immunization campaign began have involved unvaccinated individuals.

In light of this, Dr Tufton recommended the public utilize the available COVID-19 vaccines, noting that the current national coverage is 27.2%.

Dr Melody Ennis, director of Family Health Services in the Ministry, disclosed that more than 400,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines are available.

“Just under 200,000 doses of the Sinopharm and approximately 70,000 doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccines [are also available],” she said.

People are recommended to attend one of the health centres listed on the Ministry’s website to receive their vaccination.