The latest confirmation numbers of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, which leaves Jamaica at a very delicate tipping point before utter collapse. However, the country still has time to turn the tide against the pandemic, according to Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton.

Dr Tufton, addressing the backlash ensuing with the “let it sink in” tweet hours earlier, defended the rhetoric saying that Jamaicans need a dose of hard reality.

See the full, six-minute address, released via an Instagram TV video, below:

“Yesterday March 6, we had a 35.9 positivity rate, with some 723 Jamaicans for the coronavirus. Let that sink in. Let it sink in that positivity rate means that our hospitals are going to come under significant pressure.

Let it sink in that our public health workers, our nurses, our doctors are going to find it very difficult to cope with those who need medical care. Let it sink in it means longer waits, persons having to suffer for longer before they can get a bed, and generally speaking, a health system that is going to experience significant stress and fatigue.

Ladies and gentlemen, Jamaicans, the truth is we’re not trying hard enough. I accept that the government has a responsibility, but let us be clear, a lot of the spread taking place in this country is because too many of us are ignoring the need for personal responsibility.

I just drove through Half-Way-Tree for every person I saw, only 10 per cent wore their masks, that’s one in 10—that’s not good enough. It must sink in to all of us that the government alone, the public health system alone, the nurses and doctors alone, the Cabinet alone cannot address this virus, and its spread, and the consequences that it will have on our people.

It must sink in that 723 persons in one day, and more importantly, over three out of every 10 persons are positive means corona is right across the length of our population. It must sink in that if you continue to have the parties, the drink-ups; if you continue to ignore the protocols around gatherings and you congregate and you don’t wear the mask, then you chances of getting the coronavirus are real and the probability is increasing.

And when you get to the hospital, the chances of you getting a bed is going to become less and less. Jamaicans, people will die, it’s as simple as that. I am sorry if some persons are offended by this straight and plain talk but I believe it is very important that all of us appreciate and understand the consequences of our action.

This is not an attempt to rid government of its responsibility, contrary to what some may say or some may think. The truth is, we do not have enough policemen or soldiers to police every shop in Jamaica, to police every beach in Jamaica, to look over every single individual in this country.

And it is downright unfair to persons to blame our public health officials, our publich health team, our doctors and nurses when they cannot get through to a hospital because they went to the party that they shouldn’t or to the beach or the funeral, pick up the virus and expect the government or public health system to solve the problem and if we don’t do it, we get cuss.

So yes, I am saying, 723. March 6. A 35.9 per cent positivity rate, I really hope that will sink in and it would sink in our consciousness to help us understand the importance of personal responsibilities.

You know in many countries throughout the world, there is total lockdown when you have spread of this kind. This country, this government took the decision that people have to work, that they have to go about their business. It is possible without spreading the virus if they obey the protocols.

I say to you, too many of us are not. So, 723 is a defining moment for us and yes’ I’m saying let it sink in and hopefully, in sinking in, many of us will understand why it is that we need to do better.

We will continue to do what we must as a public health system, as a government. We will work hard to provide the beds, to ensure our doctors are alert, to make sure you get triaged or looked after when you turn up but the reality is there is such much and no more of us.

There are so many beds and no more at a certain point, and truthfully, it doesn’t have to be this way. We don’t have to have the overcrowding if we respect the protocols and take personal responsibility. I really hope for all us, better days ahead, I believe there will be better days ahead.

The vaccines are expected to arrive tomorrow and others to come later on. We will now embark on one of the most significant logistics exercises this country has ever seen but it is important that we recognise that until then, we must observe the protocols.

We must continue to wear the masks, continue to physical distance, continue to sanitise. Otherwise, it will see worse days head, not better days. Let us do the right thing, thank you.”