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Black Immigrant Daily News

In urging Jamaicans not to panic in light of the island recording its first case of Monkeypox, Jamaica’s Health and Wellness Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, says he does not envision the island returning to lockdowns to contain the virus locally.

In fact, Tufton is expressing confidence that health authorities are capable of treating and tracking the virus, due to its relatively mild nature.

“I am confident that given the nature of the virus, (and) given the nature of the virus globally, to date, discovering one case doesn’t make or create a crisis,” he said at the ministry’s emergency virtual press briefing on Wednesday.

Tufton said there was always the possibility that the country would record a case of Monkeypox, given that the country’s borders were opened and other countries continued to record cases of the virus.

“Having said that, we do believe that we have the capacity to respond and, particularly, if Jamaicans play their part. And so, I do not envision the kind of response to the novel coronavirus when it came on board in March 10, 2020,” he asserted.

“I believe that we can manage this current threat, and if we play our part, we can manage it in a way where we can continue to live our normal existence, whether (at) play or otherwise.

“I would say to Jamaicans, just play your part. God knows the country cannot deal with another extremity. We have a lot of side effects to this point from the COVID-19 pandemic. So, we are not only going to pray and ask God for guidance, but we gonna work to ensure that kind of guidance is taken advantage of by ourselves, and the role that we play,” declared Tufton.

To that end, the minister reiterated that Jamaicans have no reason to panic.

“This is not a reason to panic. It’s not a reason to be uncertain or scared. We informed you as soon as we got confirmation so that you are aware, and I think we have a duty to make you aware,” he said.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has been notified of the health development, but in the interim, the country remains open for business, according to Tufton

“It is business as usual in terms of the functioning of the economy. The honourable prime minister and I spoke, and he is ready and always able to provide the leadership and guidance that is necessary,” said Tufton, adding that Cabinet has also been informed of the development.

Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie, said the disease is milder than “what we are use to and what we are seeking so far across the world”.

Dr Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie (file photo)

In stressing that persons should protect themselves by wearing a mask, physical distancing and covering any skin rashes, the CMO said public awareness and sensitisation will be increased.

The patient who tested positive for Monkeypox locally is a male who recently travelled from the United Kingdom. He presented to the public health system on July 5, having arrived on the island some five days earlier.

Bisasor-McKenzie said the man is from Clarendon, but there is no risk posed to the communities there, as all close contacts of the positive individual are presently in quarantine.

Like Tufton, the CMO said there is no need for panic in light of the presence of Monkeypox locally.

“This is the reason for not panicking; we don’t anticipate any risk. Our persons are on the ground as usual. We are very good at contact tracing, and we will uncover the cases and we will do our work to minimise the chance of spread to the population,” she outlined.

“This is a mild disease and it does require very close contact for transmission. Those are other reasons why persons should not panic. If you become sick, this is something that you can see, and therefore, you are spurred to action immediately in terms of isolating yourself,” indicated Bisasor-McKenzie.

In chiming into that leg of her response, Tufton warned that, “Panic leads to chaos… and we are not promoting chaos.

“We are promoting responsible behaviour in light of the new development,” he said, while urging persons with symptoms to present to a medical facility.

Tufton said the spread of Monkeypox may occur when a person comes into close contact with an infected animal or rodents.

Person-to-person spread is generally uncommon, but can occur through direct contact with Monkeypox skin lesions or scabs, contact with clothing or sheets or towels used by an infected person, as well as from cough or sneezing of an infected individual.

The virus enters the body through broken skin, even if not visible, or the mucus membranes (eyes, nose or mouth).

“The incubation period, as we understand it, is between five and 21 days. Symptoms, usually mild to moderate, can include fever, intense headaches, swelling of the lymph nodes, back pains, swelling, rash,” stated Tufton.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

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Black Immigrant Daily News

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Eager to extend a warm welcome home to the wholly reconceptualized and fully renovated Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Resorts International (SRI) announced today that reservations are now open for arrivals beginning May 24, 2023.

The resort company unveils today what’s next for the treasured resort as it makes its long-
wished-for return to the Sandals portfolio – from first-of-its-kind suite designs, to exclusive
restaurant concepts and bars, to entirely new ways to experience Jamaica’s natural wonders.

Beloved by couples since its initial addition to the all-inclusive resort company’s portfolio in
1991, Sandals Dunn’s River will return as a brand new resort, reclaiming its edge as the
pinnacle of Sandals luxury.

The all-new 260-room Sandals Dunn’s River is undergoing a thoughtful, top-to-bottom
restoration – designed to embrace the essence of Jamaica, its curving rivers, lush forests, and majestic banyan trees – with amenities, accommodations and culinary concepts brought forward by the brand’s uncompromising quest for innovation.

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“Today is marked with very special intention, as we accept reservations for Sandals Dunn’s
River in honor of our founder and my late father, Gordon “Butch” Stewart’s birthday – just a small homage to him that we know will make him smile,” said Adam Stewart, Executive
Chairman of SRI.

“This was an extraordinary project and the last I worked on with him as his final masterpiece. He handpicked this location more than three decades ago for its white-sand coastline, cool breeze, azure waters and its close proximity to the destination’s archetypical falls. It will not only serve to breathe new excitement into a corner of Jamaica loved and cherished by so many, but it will set a new standard of luxury for tourism right here in our backyard with a next-generation resort worthy of its nostalgic past.”

Accommodation Highlights: Taking Luxury to New Heights

A first look into the expanded suite concepts reveals the addition of brand new Tufa SkyPool Butler Suites, which will feature glass panels spanning the length of oceanfront balconies, for a cascading infinity effect clear to the Caribbean Sea.

At the Coyaba Swim-Up Rondoval Butler Suites with Private Pools, Sandals’ iconic, standalone villas are reimagined with vast open-air rooftops featuring private soaking tubs, sun-lounging areas and privileged views of the surrounding flora.

Luxurious Mammee Bay Beachfront Butler Suites® will be equipped with spacious balconies directly overlooking the ocean waters, with gold fixtures and green accents speckled throughout the resort’s various unique accommodations for a nature-meets-luxury
effect that immerses guests in the setting’s unequivocal beauty.

More on the Menu

Culinary offerings at Sandals Dunn’s River will now include 12 Global Gourmet restaurants – with ten concepts entirely new to Sandals.

Infused with the classic cooking techniques found in the finest establishments in France, L’ Amande will serve an exquisite mélange of French delicacy and Jamaican fare in a chic setting.

A Greek concept, Edessa, is where the Caribbean and Aegean seas will meet, elegantly named for the ancient city of abundant waters.

From Thailand to Japan, the Asian-fusion menu at Banyu will offer a blend of cultures all in a single dish. Beloved staples, old and new, will satisfy cravings and please palates – from the Central and South American flavors at Zuka, debuted first at Sandals Royal Curaçao, to the rustic yet soulful Jerk Shack and its traditional sweet and peppery delights.

High spirits will long live at nine bars, each with a distinct identity – including the hip and
sophisticated Dunn’s Rum Club, where the island’s signature libation will be shaken and stirred into authentic Jamaican craft cocktails expertly mixed with locally-sourced ingredients like coconut and sorrel-smoked rum.

A first-of-its-kind experience, guests will enjoy an expertly curated list of smooth rums while trying their hand at a game of Jamaican-rules dominoes, where the best out of six wins.

The Laughing Waters beach bar will offer bed-style seating for a truly effervescent experience right on the sand, with a jovial name and sparkling champagne cocktails to match.

A ‘Sandals First’ in Jamaica, the rooftop bar, Ocarina, will pair spirits with the gentle sea breeze, while the chic Lapidus Lounge pays homage to renowned architect Morris Lapidus who designed the resort when it was first built as the Arawak Hotel in the 1950s.

Inspired by Jamaica’s quintessential Blue Mountains, where the beans are harvested and
roasted exclusively for the resort, guests can experience a fresh cup of pour-over coffee at
BLŪM café, along with Japanese-style and nitro cold brew best enjoyed with island inspired
treats.

Where the Fresh Water Flows

Cascading waters collected from the depths of the Dunn’s River Falls will greet guests upon
arrival, with all water features sourced from the natural reserves of the rivers throughout the resort.

Jamaica’s largest pool – designed to mimic the flow of the river – makes its way back
into the Sandals Resorts fold. Featuring a glass panel edge, the pool will be brilliantly leveled to the sand for a water-meets-sand-meets-ocean effect, and is one of five refreshing pools from where to bask under the warm Jamaican sun.

The Red Lane® Spa at Sandals Dunn’s River will debut as one of the most luxurious for the
brand, speaking to the heart of Jamaica, the land of wood and water, with the sound of flowing water from Dunn’s River and Roaring Waters River cascading into the spa’s pools against an ethereal backdrop that is ever present.

Moments away, at one of Jamaica’s natural wonders – the honored Dunn’s River Falls – guests will absorb the natural abundance of the Earth and experience a place where love flows naturally, forming natural connections and bringing the Sandals Dunn’s River experience full circle.

“Ocho Rios is the place where my father grew up, where he first learned to fish and felt the
breeze blow along the West-facing beach and where he first saw the pure joy of the island on the faces of visitors,” said Stewart.

“Here along Jamaica’s North Coast, he witnessed a blossoming tourism industry and became aware of how to please and serve a new Caribbean customer. Every touchpoint at the new Sandals Dunn’s River is designed to do that and more.”

Fly Straight in and Experience All of Ocho Rios

Guests can get to know the other corners of Jamaica through the brand’s “Stay at One, Play at All Sandals” exchange program and check out additional Sandals Resorts in the area with complimentary transfers between resorts in Ocho Rios.

To enjoy even more time in paradise, travelers can land right in Ocho Rios with American Airlines’ brand-new service from Miami on flight AA4007 with faster and more convenient processing times, shorter lines, and private transfers before and after their vacation.

Special Savings

Guests who book a stay at Sandals Dunn’s River now through August 31, 2022, will receive a special Grand Opening Offer with instant credit savings of up to $605 off on stays of seven paid nights or longer.

The offer is combinable with other Sandals’ saving promotions, for travel May 24, 2023 through December 31, 2025.

Extending a warm welcome back to past guests of the original Sandals Dunn’s River, returning guests who are Sandals Select Reward Members will enjoy a complimentary Dunn’s River Catamaran Cruise for two.

Source: Sandals Resorts. Headline photo: Rendering of the Sandals Dunn’s River Resort

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Black Immigrant Daily News

La presidenta de Paramédicos Unidos de Puerto Rico, Grisel Natal, informó en RADIO ISLA que hay bases de emergencias médicas cerradas ante la falta de personal para trabajar. 

“Yo creo que no quedan ni 300 paramédicos, porque han renunciado muchos. La semana pasada, antes de que se acabara el mes de junio, en una sola semana renunciaron 24 paramédicos en la tercera semana de junio y en la última semana de junio, iban a renunciar seis más y creo que hoy iba a renunciar otro compañero más, porque ya no aguantan”, detalló Natal.     

El pasado mes de febrero, Iván Cruz, quien es paramédico estatal en Puerto Rico, indicó en este medio que, en aquel momento, quedaban 400 practicantes de esa profesión en la isla. 

Noticia relacionada: Anticipan posible ausentismo de paramédicos en Puerto Rico

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