KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development says it is collaborating with the Ministry of Health to determine the cause of death of two elderly male residents at the St Thomas Infirmary.

Reports in sections of the media attributed the deaths of the men to a bacterial outbreak. Local Government minister Desmond McKenzie, in a release from his ministry a short while ago, sought to assure residents and employees of the infirmary that all necessary steps are being taken to protect their health and well-being.

The Local Government Minister says the facts regarding the deaths of the residents are still being determined.

“We are collaborating with the Ministry of Health, the various tests that are expected in an investigation of this nature have been done and a report is expected by this weekend. I fully understand the concerns of the wards and staff at the Infirmary, and I have had consultations with the Mayor of Morant Bay, who along with representatives of the Ministry, has met with the employees.

I also want to clearly state that these efforts were initiated in a thoughtful and deliberate manner to restore tranquility to the facility,” McKenzie said.