Jamaicans are being warned that their continued flouting of the Covid prevention protocols is putting the country at risk of tighter restrictions.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie chastised young people who attend parties and other gatherings, then bring home the coronavirus to infect their elderly relatives.

Dr. McKenzie lamented that an increase in social gatherings islandwide, but particularly in the Corporate Area, is increasing exposure and infections.

She noted that the younger age groups who attend these functions are likely to become infected, but will have mild symptoms.

She said they are spreading the virus to the older and more vulnerable populations, leading to an increase in hospitalizations and severe illness.

She pointed out that the increased number of cases, in the 20 to 39 age group, continues to drive the infection rate, putting the entire population at risk for more restrictive measures.

The warning follows reports that Jamaica’s daily Covid 19 case count, hit another record high, with 328 positive cases, identified yesterday.

These positives arise from the 2,089 samples that were tested, at the national public health lab, and the national influenza centre.

The positivity rate for the period has now increased from 14.3% on Thursday, to 15.70% on Friday.

Yesterday’s case count has pushed the country’s overall tally to 16,841.