Fifty-seven new cases of COVID-19 were reported yesterday and the tally over the last six days is 320.
The sharp rise in cases will lend justification to concerns that widespread socializing over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays would trigger an escalation. There is also the view that people have become fatigued with COVID safeguards and have weakened adherence to social distancing and mask wearing.
In addition to the 57 yesterday, 46 cases were reported on the 16th of January, 60 on the 15th, 49 on the 14th , 43 on the 13th and 65 on the 12th.
Of the new cases yesterday, 19 were from Region Six, 15 from Region Four and nine from Region Five. Region Four has recorded the highest number of cases at 2,934 followed by Region One at 981, Region Seven at 567 and Region 10 at 552.
As of yesterday, three persons are in the COVID ICU. The number of deaths remains at 170.
The government has been criticised for loosening restrictions in several areas including permitting limited indoor dining.
