No Water In COVID Hotspot And Surrounding Areas

For some communities in the Corporate Area, regular hand washing is not an option. They have no water and with the Coronavirus outbreak, the health experts recommend the continuous washing of hands in an attempt to prevent any spread of the disease.

CVM LIVE visited some communities in St. Andrew  including one COVID-19 hotspot where residents say they feel exposed and helpless to the fight against COVID-19.

In Whitfield Town, an area recently declared a COVID-19 hotspot  by government after recording 23 active cases last week, residents cherish a stand pipe on Alexander Road as one of the most reliable places to catch water.

Residents from neighbouring community, Rose Town, also use this pipe.

They too do not have consistent running water.

Further along Spanish Town Road is the community, Greenwich Town. They, like those in Whitfield Town and Rose Town also do not have running water.

Residents explain that the water comes late at nights and in the wee hours of the morning which is within curfew hours and only in a few residences. 

Greenwich Town is currently under a Zone of Special Operation (ZOSO). They explained that some soldiers will allow them to move around to get water after hours but others are not so understanding.

Also, in Denham Town, an area also under a ZOSO,  CVM LIVE observed children lining up with buckets to get water. Some were on handcarts, in trolleys, in crates and in their hands, they hassle to fill their drums as if it is their only hope.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and  the World Health Organization lists hand washing as one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19.  The Ministry of Health has also been promoting  the consistent washing of hands.

The National Water Commission was contacted but says it is unable to provide a response. The NWC has committed to  providing a response later this week.

Jamaila Maitland reports: