20 Travellers from UK Test Positive for COVID-19
Dec. 23, 2020
KINGSTON, Jamaica. Wednesday, December 23, 2020: The Ministry of Health & Wellness can confirm that 20 passengers, who arrived from the UK on Monday, December 21 have tested positive for COVID-19. These persons will now be placed in state isolation, along with four of their close contacts and monitored until they are recovered. Additionally, the 20 positive samples will be sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for genetic assessment to determine if they are of the variant strain of COVID-19.
The results for two passengers are still pending while some 267 travellers (excluding the 4 close contacts), who have tested negative for COVID-19 will today be transferred from state to home quarantine. These persons will be fitted with armbands and be closely monitored by the parish health team and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), as they complete their mandatory 14 day quarantine at home.
Family members are reminded that they must strictly adhere to the infection prevention and control measures when picking up their relatives, as well as during the mandatory quarantine period as these persons may still develop symptoms in the next 14 days and transmit the virus to others.
It is to be noted that the final number of passengers who arrived on Monday totaled 301 and not 302 as previously announced. Of the 301 passengers, five were in-transit travellers and three were children under 12 years of age, who were not sampled.
While in home quarantine, if persons develop any symptoms, they must make immediate contact with the Ministry of Health and Wellness at 888-ONE-LOVE (888-663-5683) or their parish health department.