New COVID-19 cases surged to a record high on Friday, August 20, amid the third wave of the pandemic. Jamaica recorded 794 news cases at a positivity rate of 43.8%. The number of hospitalizations stood at 551, with 121 persons requiring oxygenation support.

President of the Medical Association of Jamaica,(MAJ) Dr. Andrew Manning, is urging all Jamaicans to comply with the COVID-19 measures in an effort to reduce COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations. Dr. Manning, says in order to flatten the curve persons will need to continue to wear their masks, maintain social distancing, among others. He is imploring both the unvaccinated and vaccinated to adhere to the tightened restrictions.

He adds that the presence of the delta variant in the country should be a wake-up call for citizens. As hospitals buckle under pressure from a third wave of infections, doctors amplify the call for citizens to get their COVID-19 jabs. Dr. Manning echoes the sentiments, adding that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

More in this CVM Live story from Aladden Love: