In addition to the national vaccination programme, the Ministry of Health and Wellness is implementing other measures such as self-test kits, increase in bed capacity and oxygen supply, to help contain the current fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic being experienced by the country.

Some time last year, during one in the series of COVID Conversations, Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton warned the nation of a possible fourth wave of the pandemic.

While speaking at last evening’s COVID conversations, the health minister said: “As predicted, the fourth wave of the pandemic is here. The evidence is in the increase in cases over the last two weeks.”

He continued: “More COVID-19 infections invariably mean more hospitaliations, which will put pressure on the public health system and the public health team.”

Jamaica on Wednesday (January 5) hit a daily record of 1,128 positive cases, while in the last 24 hours that record was surpassed, as the country racked up 1,269 cases, which was over 100 more than the previous day.

Given the expectation prior to the onset of the fourth wave, measures were planned to help combat the virus.

The ministry donated a total of 5,000 home self-test kits to the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JTA) for tourism workers.

They have also donated another 5,000 self-test kits to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information. Furthermore, plans of adding laboratories to offer testing for COVID have also been announced.

The country’s main supplier of oxygen has assured the ministry that it is able to support a surge capacity of up to 1,200 patients suffering from the COVID-19 virus. Concurrently, the ministry’s aim is to diversify the supply of oxygen, including through public-private partnerships.

The island’s bed capacity is also set to increase with the final of eight field hospitals being completed this month at the Savanna-la-mar Hospital. With that, the island’s bed count for COVID-19 will move to 745.

Along with this is the continued encouragement to always practise handwashing, sanitisation, social distancing and mask wearing.

Although these additional measures have been put in place, the health minister still impressed upon the public to take personal responsibility and warned that the current situation should not be met with complacency.

He championed vaccination, detailing that is it critical to the success in response to the pandemic.