Tighter restrictions have been imposed in Westmoreland as the rate of positive cases of COVID-19 has been spiking in the parish over the past few weeks.
To date, Westmoreland has up to 541 confirmed cases, 22 confirmed COVID-19-related deaths and 91 current active cases. In addition, the statistics for the COVID-19 positivity rate in the parish has it as one in every three persons who are tested.
At a special meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation on December 14, Dr Tufton outlined that the positivity rate of COVID-19 in the parish is three to four times higher than the national average.
He pointed out that if this rate of spread continues unchecked, then it will overwhelm the public health facility in the parish, resulting in more deaths and disruption of everyday life.
“The feedback is that persons are just not obeying nor complying with the protocols. The understanding is that we are having a lot of these illegal parties persons are taking this virus for granted,”
Dr Tufton said.
“So, the real challenge is that those who take it for granted end up becoming a burden on the public health system and, indeed, end up spreading it to innocent people. Persons have to take personal responsibility for their personal health, the health of their community and, by extension, parish,”
he added.
Dr Graham noted that the Ministry has been carrying out a COVID-19 Sensitisation Blitz in the parish and will continue to work with the public to mitigate the spread of the virus.
“We need the help of each and every one of you to help us to make Westmoreland a safer space in regard to COVID-19,”
she said.
