Whats Happening, August 18, 2021

The Delta Virus Is In Jamaica!!!

Minister Christopher Tufton

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has confirmed the presence of the highly contagious Delta Variant of COVID-19 in Jamaica.

The statement from the Minister of Health and Wellness states that, “We have received 40 results from the 60 samples sent to Caribbean Public Health Agency. Twenty-two (22) are positive for the Delta Variant,” revealed Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton.

The confirmation of the presence of the variant comes as Jamaica recorded 289 new COVID-19 infectious and confirmed 19 deaths in the last 24 hours. The total number of infections now moves to 59,377 since the first case was confirmed last year while the total number of deaths stands at 1,339.

At the same time, hospitals across the country have exceeded their COVID-19 bed capacity while exhausted health care workers urge members of the public to stay vigilant in their practice of infection prevention and control measures, notably, mask wearing, maintaining a physical distancing from others and frequently washing and/or sanitizing hands.

Jamaica will tomorrow receive its first shipment of the Pfizer vaccine for which children and teens will be prioritised for vaccination. The donation will be delivered in three shipments over three months, with an initial 204,000 doses to make up the first shipment, which should originally have arrived on Tuesday (August 17). The arrival was delayed by Tropical Storm Grace.

To become vaccinated, members of the public are encouraged to make their appointments online at https://www.moh.gov.jm or call the Vaccination Call Centre at 888-ONE-LOVE (888-663-5683).

Policeman Killed

My On The Ground Reporter has reported that a Policeman has just been killed in Central Village in St. Catherine.

Hugh Nash Funeral Postponed

Hugh Nash, CD

Funeral Service for Mr. Hugh Nash who is known as Mr. Festival has been postponed. Follow my blog to get the new date for the funeral service.

AAJ Pensioners Important News

If your are an Airport Authority of Jamaica pensioner and you see your name on the list below or if you know any of these persons, tell them to send a text message to (876) 816-5261 with the message:

AAJ:Your Telephone number.

 

New JTA President

Winston Smith
JTA President 2021

Principal of the Golden Spring Primary School in St. Andrew, Winston Smith, has been installed as the 57th president of the Jamaica Teacher’s Association (JTA).  

Mr. Smith was installed during the opening ceremony of the 57th JTA annual conference, which was held on Monday (August 16) at the Ocean Coral Spring Hotel in Trelawny.

I listened to the JTA president and I asked myself why he has to be shouting. This does not sound good because he was speaking directly to the Minister of Education and Information and it came across as someone shouting at the Minister. He did not sound good at all. 

NWC Distribution System Affected By Power Challenges

Yesterday during the passage of Tropical Storm Grace, the Hope Filter Plant in St. Andrew was affected by low voltage. As a result several customers who are served by the plant are without the supply or have low water supply.

Among the areas affected are: Mona Heights, Liguanea, Hope Pastures, sections of Barbican Road, Ravina, Papine, Gordon Town Road, Hope Flats among other and surrounding areas.

I will be sending a message to JPSCo to see if anything can be done to deal with this challenger urgently. I understand that the situation could affect the University Hospital of the West Indies.