JAMAICA STANDS FIRM AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS

Jamaica stands firm against the coronavirus

In March, the Ministry of Health of Jamaica reported that the country has recorded the first death from a new type of coronavirus COVID-19. The total cases then registered in the country were  15.

The press service of the Jamaican Ministry of Health reports that a 79-year-old resident reportedly died of COVID-19. Shortly before his death, he visited the United States. 

A few days later, when the number of cases began to increase, on the island, the authorities announced the cancellation of schooling as a measure of prevention of the spread of the disease.

At the end of December 2019, Chinese authorities reported an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan, Hubei Province. Experts previously established that the causative agent of the disease was a new type of coronavirus - 2019-nCoV. 

On March 11, the World Health Organization announced the outbreak of the new coronavirus COVID-19 as a pandemic. 

By then, more than 200 thousand people have been infected in about 160 countries worldwide, killing over 8 thousand people.

The global infection today stands at 3,152,573, with 218,491 deaths, taking its toll heavily on the United States of America and some European countries, such as Spain and Italy.

Like many African countries, the sun-shine Caribbean tourist country has a low rate of infections. As of today, Jamaica has registered only 381 cases,  with 7 deaths and 29 recovered cases.

On Sunday, April 12, 2020, a mixture of Jamaican celebrities made up of talented-famous musicians and athletes organized a COVID – 19 Relief Reggae Concert, under the theme “Jamaica Together We Stand,” to raise funds towards the fight against the coronavirus.

The Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt, who won eight Olympic gold medals in the 100m, 200m, and 4 × 100m, promised 500,000 Jamaican dollars, about £ 3,000 or $ 3,700, at an event supported by the Ministry of Health and Wellness of the nation

The 'Jamaica Together We Stand,' concert poster

Among other athletes and reggae stars, including Shaggy, Freddie Mcgregor, Usain Bolt made a donation to the “Jamaica Together We Stand” telethon to help combat the spread of COVID-19 in his home country.

Jamaica is looking to raise $ 10.5 million (£ 8.4 million / € 9.6 million) to purchase supplies to combat the spread of coronavirus, with a fifth of the total earmarked for face masks and nearly half to purchase of 200 fans.

Other high costs derive from the purchase of anesthesia machines, biohazard bags, glasses and face protectors.