As the country responds to the first imported case of the corona virus, the Health Ministry is stepping up efforts to contain the virus.
Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton said confirmation came at 11 o’clock this morning.
The case relates to a Jamaican female who travelled from the United Kingdom on March 4 but who was brought into the public health system five days later on March 9.
The minister said the patient is stable.
He says both the patient and family members have been informed of the development and attention is now being turned to prevent local spread of the Covid 19.
Dr. Tufton adds that the ministry had anticipated that the virus would have been confirmed here at some point and has been preparing.
He says the next phase of the response which is containment has now been triggered. This is to prevent community transmission.
And Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jacqueline Bissasor McKenzie explained how the ministry will try to make contact with persons who would have come into contact with the patient who contracted Covid 19.
She indicates that public health facilities will now be on alert.
At a press conference today, the health officials were asked if attempts would be made to trace persons who were on the airplane.
Dr. Bissasor McKenzie explains that the patient became ill after she arrived in the island.