Opposition Spokesman on Health Dr. Morais Guy - file photo
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Dr. Morais Guy
As the country awaits the announcement of tougher measures to deal with the surge in COVID-19 cases, the Parliamentary Opposition says consideration should be given to imposing a lockdown in sections of Jamaica.
Spokesman on Health Dr. Morais Guy, is suggesting tighter restrictions in parishes with a high rate of infections.
"KSA (Kingston and St. Andrew) and St. Ann are the parishes that we're seeing numbers in and if there is further drilling down to find out in specific areas where these numbers are, then we should have those areas where people stay at home and reduce and restrict the activity," he proposed, telling Radio Jamaica News this should help slowdown the spread of the virus.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Thursday announced he will implement stronger protocols when the current measures expire on Monday.
When the measures were implemented two weeks ago, Mr. Holness had threatened he would take stronger actions if Jamaicans did not obey them and if there was no improvement in the COVID-19 case numbers.
On Wednesday, Jamaica confirmed 638 additional COVID-19 cases.
The number of persons hospitalised with the virus is now close to 400.
Dr. Guy says the worsening situation warrants increased COVID-19 testing.
He urged the government to utilise more antigen kits in testing for the virus, noting that while it is not at "the gold standard of the PCR (test)," it can be used as "a triage tool in terms of our admissions so we can have a handle on those who are positive right away."
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