Jamaica’s continued battle with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic faces another setback on Sunday (August 1), as new infections rose to their highest level since the easing of restrictions on July 1.

The case count for Saturday marks the second consecutive day that COVID-19 infections arrived at a new peak for the month.

The country confirmed 342 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, pushing the cumulative tally to 53,237. It is a 38 per cent increase over the 211 new infections recorded by the Ministry of Health and Wellness for Friday.

Jamaica is managing 4,679 active cases, according to the ministry’s clinical summary. Some 47,001 Jamaicans have made a full recovery from the infectious respiratory disease, while six new fatalities leave the death toll at 1,196.

Kingston and St Andrew continues to rank among the country’s worst-hit parishes—accounting for 73 new cases—followed closely by Manchester (57), St Catherine (45), St Ann (41) and St James (30). Additionally, all 14 parishes confirmed new cases in the last 24 hours.

The positivity rate, which rose to 24 per cent on Friday, now sits at a worrying 31 per cent.

COVID-related restrictions, relaxed by Prime Minister Andrew Holness for the start of July, have since been reinstated as at July 26, as the government braces for a third wave of outbreaks.

In a terse statement on Twitter, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said the 31 per cent positivity rate was “not good” and expected hospital admissions to spike over the next several weeks.

“Positivity rate 31%. Not good! We expect increase[d] hospitalization in the coming weeks. Don’t let it be you. Jamaicans please, wear your mask, avoid crowds and get vaccinated,” Tufton tweeted.

On the matter of hospitalisations, the ministry, in its clinical summary, indicated that 187 are currently being treated—with 46 patients classified as ‘moderately ill’. Another 29 are categorised as ‘critically ill’.