Director of Emergency, Disaster Management and Special Services in the Health and Wellness Ministry, Dr. Nicole Dawkins Wright, says the country is prepared to counter the deadly coronavirus from entering Jamaica.
The virus has been wreaking havoc in Wuhan, China.
Dr. Dawkins Wright says early detection and isolation measures are in place at the nation’s ports.
And, she is confident that Jamaica’s health authorities are prepared to take action.
So far the coronavirus has infected hundreds of people, with almost 20 deaths.
It was first identified in Wuhan on December 31 last year.
But, Chinese officials confirmed human to human transmission on Monday of this week.
This after a single patient infected 14 health workers.
Dr. Dawkins Wright is advising persons to continue practicing standard preventative techniques, such as hand washing, to reduce their risk of contracting the virus.
Dr. Nicole Dawkins Wright, Director of Emergency, Disaster Management and Special Services in the Health and Wellness Ministry.
There is no a vaccine in place for the novel coronavirus.
Director of Emergency, Disaster Management and Special Services in the Health and Wellness Ministry, Dr. Nicole Dawkins Wright, says the coronavirus should not be confused with the flu.
A coronavirus is any of a group of RNA viruses that cause a variety of diseases in humans and other animals.
But, Dr. Dawkins Wright is still recommending that Jamaicans get their flu shots annually.
Dr. Nicole Dawkins Wright, Director of Emergency, Disaster Management and Special Services in the Health and Wellness Ministry.
