The Ministry of Health and Wellness is currently investigating the cause of 350 deaths that could be attributed to the COVID-19 virus. Additionally, Jamaica has recorded 64 new COVID cases.

Deaths are placed under investigation when it is unclear if a person who tested positive for the virus died because of COVID or due to other underlying illnesses. If it is confirmed that a person died because of the virus, their death will be added to the island’s death toll for COVID. However, if the death of the positive patient was not a result of the virus, it will be ruled as coincidental.

In the latest weekly report from the ministry, for the week of March 21-27, it is indicated that there was one new death placed under investigation last week, which pushed the number of deaths under investigation to 350.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Jamaica has recorded 3,529 COVID-related deaths. One new death was confirmed last week and is said to have occurred sometime this year. An additional 300 deaths were also ruled as coincidental since March 2020, meaning the person had the virus but died because of other illnesses.

As of March 27, Jamaica has on record a total of 64 active cases of the virus on the island.

The number of COVID cases had spiked at the beginning of 2023 but saw a gradual decline in the early parts of February. However, this changed towards the end of February going into March when new-case totals began to fluctuate.

The ministry continues to promote vaccination among citizens, also urging those who have already taken the vaccines to take their booster shots. Vaccination sites can be found at health centres islandwide. To find your nearest health centre visit the ministry’s website at https://vaccination.moh.gov.jm/vaccination-sites/

The number of new COVID cases for each parish are as follows:

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