With cases of COVID-19 continuing to spread in areas of Jamaica, the government is clamping down, pushing back the deadline for when it would lift quarantine deadlines and increasing curfew hours.

As of mid-August, the island nation of nearly 3 million people has seen an uptick to 1,146 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 and the death of 14 people. More women than men, so far, have been diagnosed with the disease – 622 women and 524 men.

The disease also affects people of all ages. The Ministry of Health and Wellness says in a press release that those affected range from 2 months to 88 years.

To blunt the spread of the disease in parts of the country where there are spikes, health officials have extended the quarantine period to Sept, 2, as well as the hours of curfew.

There are also limits on gatherings. Only 15 people are now allowed to attend funeral services in areas where there are increases of COVID-19 infections. And they are not allowing weddings or any other public gatherings in some areas.

Fighting COVID-19

Jamaican health officials turning to residents to get the message out about the need to curb the spread of COVID-19. If you are between the ages of 13-35 years, officials are inviting you to create a 1-minute video focusing on physical distancing or wearing of masks. The deadline for the Social Media competition is Aug. 21.

And health officials continue to encourage residents and visitors to the island to follow health protocols.

“Our doctors and nurses are caring for those who are ill. However, we cannot, on our own, defeat COVID-19,” health officials said in a press release.

“We need the people of Jamaica and the visitors to the island to do their part by abiding by quarantine orders and practicing infection prevention and control measures – from maintaining the six-feet physical distance from others to frequently washing hands, sanitizing commonly used surfaces and wearing masks.”