SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Westmoreland, with the positivity rate peaking above the country’s national average, according to the parish’s Medical Officer of Health Dr Marcia Graham.

“If you’re listening to the news, you’ll be hearing in the high teens, 20s, 30s; we [in Westmoreland] have gone up in the 50s,” she said.

Speaking at the regular monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation on Thursday, Dr Graham noted that the parish’s positivity rate is in the 40s. According to the latest data on the Ministry of Health’s website, up to June 7 Jamaica had a positivity rate of 32 per cent.

“COVID still a keep, ladies and gentlemen, citizens of Westmoreland. Draw fi yuh mask! All of you need to ensure you sanitise and reduce the stress in the parish,” she urged, adding that there were 123 active cases in Westmoreland up to June 8.

She noted, however, that despite the spike in the number of cases, most of those infected have not had to be hospitalised.

“Eight persons are in hospital, our hospital occupancy is at 44 per cent,” Dr Graham said.

However, she is urging residents not to allow that bit of good news to give them a false sense of security as just last month there were COVID-19-related deaths among the parish’s vulnerable.

She appealed to members of the municipal corporation to advise unvaccinated people, especially those who are vulnerable, to visit health centres and get the jab.

She noted that while Fontana Pharmacy at Beckford Plaza had halted its vaccination programme, people wishing to be inoculated may visit Royal Medical Centre.

Westmoreland has seen spikes in its number of COVID-19 cases in the past, most thought to be linked to large gatherings or events.