Doctors warn of 'serious situation' if COVID-19 cases continue to spike

 

The country's medical doctors have outlined the stark reality that the country is facing if there is a further surge in cases of COVID-19 in Jamaica.

 

The Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ) and the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA), say if Jamaicans continue on the same wave length, the limited number of ventilators, numbering about 40, could be exhausted and the health sector that is already stretched thin, will be further burdened.

 

Jamaica on Thursday recorded its highest one-day total of COVID-19 cases, 98, prompting the cabinet sub-committee on COVID-19 to meet Friday morning to decide on the way forward.

 

Ten of the cases are from the backlog, while the remaining 88 are current.

 

The Ministry of Health says the new cases seem to be linked to the Emancipation-Independence festivities.

 

The MAJ and JMDA say, coupled with that, there was total disregard for health protocols by supporters of the major political parties on Nomination Day.

 

In an interview with Radio Jamaica News Friday morning, MAJ president Dr. Andrew Manning said he is disappointed that there was not enough enforcement.

 

Dr. Manning said he would not be surprised if new cases of COVID-19 are recorded from nomination day activities.

 

"This surge in cases that we're seeing yesterday, the Minister of Health has related to the activities over Emancipation. Can you imagine what numbers we're going to see a couple weeks from now due to activities on Nomination Day. You had crowds and crowds of persons gathering all over the island, and it's something that could have been prevented and that needs to be prevented going on in the election season," he insisted. 

 

Dr. Manning said the recent upsurge in cases indicates that the country is experiencing a second wave of the virus.

 

The additional 98 cases increased the total number of cases locally to 1,290.

 

Dr. Manning wants political parties to pay more than lip service to the public health measures initiated to combat COVID-19.

 

In addition, he has recommended that political leaders discourage the gathering of supporters. 

 

"I would say that they need to conduct as much of their campaign virtually as possible. What we really need for elections are for parties to get their message out and for persons to be able to go to the polls safely and cast their vote. We don't need all of the crowds that we normally have in association with elections, and in fact, we can't afford it at this point in time. I think people don't realise how critical the situation is," he warned.