Senior Medical Officer at the Noel Holmes Hospital in Lucea, Hanover, Patrice Monthrope, is urging Jamaicans to get their COVID-19 vaccines as more and more hospitals surpass admission capacity. Speaking on Thursday, August 12, ahead of another spike in daily infections, SMO Monthrope says the third wave of infections is worrying and has placed great pressure on an already short staff complement.
Friday, August 13 brought along with it is usual ominous messages, this time it yielded Jamaica 544 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Of that number 37 were recorded in Hanover. SMO Monthrope says the recent wave of infections is worrying, as the virus is now affecting persons in the younger age groups, as opposed to previously seen where the older demography was mostly affected.
He says as the third wave of infections crash on the public health sector, medical teams have been put under immense pressure. In some instances, Dr. Monthrope says since the Noel Holmes Hospital is at capacity, staff have had to seek transfers for patients in need of critical care.
He is urging Jamaicans to put aside their fears and take a fighting chance on the COVID-19 vaccines available.
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