KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Local Government, Desmond McKenzie has indicated that there are currently 218 people being housed in 31 shelters across the island.

He also said all 881 emergency centres are fully activated and ready to take occupants as the country continues to brace for Hurricane Melissa.

McKenzie, who is in charge of coordinating Jamaica’s emergency response, gave the update Sunday during a special media briefing at the Haining Road headquarters of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.

He repeated his call for persons living in low-lying and flood-prone communities to evacuate and for persons living on the streets to cooperate with the authorities and relocate to the drop-in facilities. McKenzie repeated his warning that first responders will not risk their lives during the hurricane to assist those persons who have refused to move.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Daryl Vaz, who also addressed the media briefing, shared that the Jamaica Urban Transit Company is offering special support in transporting medical staff to the Kingston Public Hospital, Jamaica’s biggest trauma centre.

“And we’re prepared to respond to similar requests from the public health sector,” he added.