KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Ministry of Health and Wellness reported 135 new COVID-19 cases and five deaths on Thursday, July 7, bringing the infection total to 143,745 and total deaths to 3,153.

The new cases comprise 67 females and 68 males, with ages ranging from four months to 83 years.

The cases were recorded in Kingston and St Andrew (45), St Ann (34), St Catherine (18), St James (12), Trelawny (seven), Clarendon (seven), St Thomas (five), Manchester (two), St Mary (two), Hanover (one) St Elizabeth (one) and Westmoreland (one).

The deceased comprise:

· A 56-year-old male from St Catherine who died in September 2021 (previously under investigation)

· A 77-year-old male from St James who died in January 2022 (previously under investigation)

· A 77-year-old female from St James who died in February 2022

· A 55-year-old male from St Catherine and

· An 84-year old female from Kingston and St Andrew both of whom died in July 2022.

There were 78 recoveries in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 91,516.

Currently, 94 people are hospitalised, 11 of whom are moderately ill, 11 severely ill and two critically ill.

Jamaica’s positivity rate for the latest round of testing is 17.9 per cent.