Jamaica: Missionaries of the Poor Facility Shut Down

Missionaries of the Poor Facility shut down due to COVID- 19 clusters – The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOH) is now working to contain the spread of COVID-19 at the facility on Law street which houses one hundred and twenty-five (125) males both young and old.

Brother Rocky who is one of the leaders at a Missionaries of the poor facility nearby says though the protocols to contain the virus have been followed since the outbreak, facilities similar to theirs have many unique challenges that are not in line with maintaining the COVID-19 protocols.

Brother Rocky says the virus was first detected when a brother from the facility fell ill and tested positive for the virus.

He says due to this detection all their facilities will undergo testing to limit the spread of the virus. However, this testing and the lockdown of a facility could mean a halt on the feeding and housing of the poor in the surrounding communities.

Some homes have become overcrowded, due to the relocation of some residents, which does not aid in containing the virus. The decision was however forced, as the facility was destroyed by fire.

The facility has now centralised where food is distributed , at Christ the Redeemer Church , Swallowfield Road, Kingston.

The affected Faith Centre is now following strict guidelines by not allowing anyone in or out and also having COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negatives separated, with missionaries who take shifts to nurse the residents back to health.

CVM TV’s Paige Dixon has this report: