The number of persons hospitalized with Covid-19 continues to increase while the latest reported deaths included a 9-year old.

65 persons are now hospitalized with the virus, up from 52 recorded on Sunday.

The 9 year old girl from St Elizabeth died in April, while the deaths of a 94-year-old male and a 74-year old female both from St. Catherine occurred last year.

Meantime, the Health Ministry has reported 166 new Covid-19 cases with the positivity rate now 18.4 per cent.

The new cases consist of 108 females and 58 males.

They range in age from 20 days to 90 years.

The parish with the highest number of new cases is Kingston and St. Andrew with 37 persons, followed by St. James with 36.