Remembering when COVID-19 first hit Jamaica
Published:Tuesday | March 11, 2025 | 12:07 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
On March 10 we marked a significant anniversary. It was on this day in 2020 that Jamaica confirmed its first imported case of COVID-19 – an alarming harbinger of the trials that lay ahead.
As we reflect on these early days, it is essential to recognise the commitment and resilience demonstrated by our health authorities and the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The establishment of a COVID-19 response advisory team exemplified our nation’s proactive stance in planning and coordinating a response to this public health crisis.
In the months that followed, Jamaica took notable steps to mitigate the risks associated with the virus. Travel restrictions were imposed, discouraging non-essential activities and public gatherings. This was further reinforced by ongoing patrols of irregular border crossings and public sensitisation efforts at airports and seaports. The establishment of quarantine facilities and the retrofitting of isolation units in public hospitals underscored the seriousness of our response.
However, the toll of COVID-19 in Jamaica has been profound. According to the Worldometer Coronavirus tracker, as of April 13, 2024, the nation has recorded 156,869 cases and 3,756 reported deaths. While various organisations have come together to honour the lives lost, significant national closures or memorials have yet to be organised to collectively mourn those we have lost. Notable gestures include the virtual memorial service hosted by the National Chorale of Jamaica in Kingston, and a separate service by the Church Teachers’ College Alumni Association in Mandeville. Yet, these efforts need to be supplemented by a national tribute, recognising the scale of our loss and the resilience of the Jamaican spirit.
As we remember this pivotal moment and reflect on the journey we have travelled since that ominous March 10, let us not only acknowledge the challenges we have faced, but also the solidarity and unity that emerged during this time.
The powers that be should consider organising a national memorial event that provides a platform for every Jamaican to pay their respects to our departed loved ones.
DUDLEY MCLEAN II