Effective January 19, the country’s public hospitals will be restricted to conducting emergency care services only. This comes as several of the island’s public hospitals face increased pressure due to the growing number of confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases. There is also decreased staff coverage as many health care workers are out sick.
As of Wednesday, January 19, Jamaicans, except those in need of emergency care at public hospitals will have to bear the brunt of the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections.
Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton on Monday noted that all public hospitals are seeing increased numbers and several of the larger hospitals are over 90 per cent capacity with some over 100 per cent.
The Regional Director for the Southern Regional Health Authority, Michael Bent, on Tuesday, told CVM LIVE that of the 109 COVID-19 beds at the five hospitals in the region, 100 are occupied with about four patients in need of oxygen care.
