“723 Positive Covid-19 cases reported in the last 24 hours… let that sink in!”

This was the message tweeted by Jamaican Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton on Sunday morning, as he alerted Jamaicans to the worsening situation on the island.

The figure is the highest daily count for Jamaica since the pandemic began one year ago, with a seven month old baby being among the new cluster of cases. The oldest patient is 95. 

For the same period, the country’s Health Ministry reported seven Covid-19 fatalities, all between the ages 55-85.

Jamaica now has 26,026 cases on record, with 453 deaths. 

The country is expected to begin its vaccination program when it receives its first set of vaccines this week. 

Some 16,000 healthcare workers have volunteered to be the first in line to be administered the jab.