By Fernando Davis

With the coronavirus now showing an uptick in some previously “under-the-radar” communities across Jamaica, several agencies in the garden parish of St. Ann are bonding together in a concerted effort to confront the deadly pandemic.

Way out front in this enterprising counter-attack is the St Ann Municipal Corporation, which even though has been significantly impacted by the fact that most of its enforcement officers have been sidelined by COVID-19, has been coordinating with other agencies to keep the pandemic in check.

“We have been impacted in that many of our municipality police have contracted the coronavirus, most of them in the line of duty,” Mayor of St Ann’s Bay, Councillor Sydney Stewart notes, following a recent sitting of the monthly municipality meeting.

“We have truly been scrambling hard to put enforcement measures in place, along with our partners from the health department and other Government agencies to safeguard the parish from those who are still hell-bent on violating safety protocols in relation to COVID-19.”

Mayor Stewart also pointed out that with the pandemic showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon, it is imperative that there continue to be an all-on-deck approach by all stakeholders, with the ultimate goal being to “to keep the virus in check and to protect our people as best as possible.”

For his part, Chairman of the St Ann’s Bay Hospital and Councillor for the Ocho Rios Division Michael Belnavis says he fully endorses the approach being taken by Mayor Stewart, adding that “this is the only way we are going to effectively combat the virus.”

“No one agency or entity can deal with this scourge. We will have to work together in unison to deal with this pandemic…and to ensure that St. Ann, with its heavy reliance on tourism and it being a major contributor to Jamaica’s economy…doesn’t fall into that danger zone,” said Belnavis.

He further observed that the recent uptick in cases in St. Ann is a clear cause for concern, warning against complacency and what he calls “an easing up” on protocols and safety guidelines.

“There are still those who have not been adhering to the health and safety guidelines, outlined by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and who continue to take the cavalier approach that COVID is no longer a clearer and present danger.

“We were doing very well for a while and cannot continue to take our feet of the brakes and open the floodgates. “The requirements are simple. Wear your masks and continue to practice social distancing,”he added.

Acting Medical Officer of Health for St. Ann, Dr Tamika Henry, said that not only a relaxing of the health protocols remains dangerous and counterproductive but that St. Ann could easily become a major COVID-19 hotspot if attitudes and behavioural changes are not made an immediate priority.

“The parish of St. Ann is showing signs of an uncontrolled COVID-19 spread,” Dr. Henry noted. “St. Ann has the second highest rate of infection per 100,000 people. This is partially so because relatives from abroad have not been adhering to the health and safety protocols…evidence has been showing.”

She added that persons needed to be more vigilant in their approach to dealing with the virus, noting that there are too many cases of persons showing a blatant disregard for protocols, putting themselves and others at risk to a pandemic “that has no respect for class nor status.”

“A case in point are our taxi drivers,” Dr Henry added. “They have to ensure that not only do they turn off their air condition and drive with their windows down but they also have to ensure that their passengers are wearing masks.”

Dr Henry, in the meantime, also noted that with working-age persons accounting for more than 60 per cent of the COVID-19 cases in St Ann, there are concerns that this will negatively impact the parish’s economy.

“For our 25 to 44 age group, this group accounts for approximately 40 per cent of our COVID-19 cases. For our 45 to 64 age group, that group accounts for approximately 26 per cent of our cases, and so you can see that we are going to the 60s in terms of our working-age population being affected,” Dr Henry explained.

“It should also be noted that when these persons are affected, they have to stop working, and so our industries, our commercial centres, our business places, are suffering,” she further noted.

Up to Monday (February 1), St Ann recorded a total of 1,037 COVID-19 cases, with eight new cases being recorded on that day, according to statistics provided by the Ministry of Health.

And in noting that the parish now has 66 active cases of COVID–19, Dr Henry is encouraging residents to follow the protocols in order to curtail the spread of the virus.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton, also met recently with members of the St. Ann business community to remind them about the established workplace protocols, as the country continues to deal with the raging COVID-19 pandemic.

“This continues to be the mission of the Ministry and the Government. We play our part and we also encourage others to play their part,” he noted.