Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton says he believes the interpretation of Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ recent responses to questions about tighter Covid-19 measures was unfortunate.

Despite a surge in Covid-19 cases and strain on the health system, Mr. Holness has maintained the measures which have been in place since last year and has urged people to get vaccinated.

Speaking with reporters in Kingston today (January 18), Dr. Tufton defended the Prime Minister’s decision.

Dr. Tufton said while the government has a role to play in curtailing the spread of the virus, citizens also have to play their part.

Dr. Tufton said the prime minister’s comment was not an attempt at being insensitive.

Dr. Tufton noted that the Ministry’s decision to have hospitals accept only emergency cases as of tomorrow had to be made as over 700 Covid-19 patients occupy beds in public hospitals.

Meantime, the University Hospital of the West Indies says as of tomorrow (January 19) it will reduce its services to the public by 40 per cent.

It says this will help the administration to redeploy scarce resources to areas that need them most.