Although the Kingston and St Andrew Public Health Department is reporting a dramatic drop in COVID-19 cases in September, compared to August, the Ministry of Health has cautioned the public to continue observing the necessary precautions to protect themselves from the virus and other respiratory illnesses as the country is in the influenza season.

At the recent meeting of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) Disaster Preparedness and Public Health Committee, the Public Health Department reported a steep decline in COVID-19 cases in the municipality from 1,041 in August 2022 to 429 in September.

When the Jamaica Observer sought more detailed information from the health ministry, it said, “The decline in newly confirmed COVID-19 cases was seen in KSA [Kingston and St Andrew] and nationally as well. With this and other data, we can conclude that Jamaica is at the end of the fifth COVID-19 wave. However, having had five waves and with COVID-19 still circulating, being in the influenza season and with the increase in respiratory illnesses, we continue to encourage persons to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and others from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19 and influenza.”

The Red Hills community, with 11 cases in September, topped the list of five communities with COVID-19 cases in the KSA. The communities of Constant Spring, Liguanea and downtown each had 10 cases and Hope Pastures had six cases.

Of the 1,041 COVID-19 cases in the KSA in August, Mona, with 24, topped the list of the five communities with the highest number of cases. Constant Spring had 23 cases, Vineyard Town, 22; downtown, 21; and Stony Hill, 20