Black Immigrant Daily News

Amid Jamaica recording 183 new COVID-19 cases over 24 hours up to Friday afternoon, the Ministry of Health and Wellness has reported a positivity rate of 23.7 per cent for the one-day period.

Two COVID-19 deaths that occurred in August were also recorded on Friday, bringing the overall coronavirus death toll in Jamaica to 3,221.

Two Kingston and St Andrew men, aged 71 and 88, are the latest recorded COVID fatalities nationally.

The separate death of two COVID-19 patients are under investigation by health officials.

There were 90 recoveries on the day, bringing that tally to 94,999.

The newly confirmed COVID-19 cases brought the total number on record for the island to 147,908.

Notably, the 23.7 per cent positivity rate was based on the samples that were tested on Friday.

Of the newly confirmed cases, 113 are females and 70 are males, with ages ranging from one month to 98 years.

The case count was made up of Kingston and St Andrew (58), St Catherine (43), Clarendon (16), St James (13), St Elizabeth (10), St Ann (nine), Manchester (seven), St Mary (seven), St Thomas (seven), Westmoreland (five), Portland (four), Trelawny (three), and Hanover (one).

There are 20 moderately ill patients, six severely ill patients and two critically ill patients among 1,314 active cases now under observation in Jamaica.

A total of 126 COVID-19 patients are now hospitalised locally.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Tekst en beeld Ricky Wirjosentono  PARAMARIBO — De vrouwen van Yellow Birds hebben hun vierde wedstrijd op rij zondag gewonnen

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National Security Minister, Dr Horace Chang, is calling on the 120 new police constables to hold themselves accountable for their actions and exude impartial, unbiased traits in the fulfilment of their duties during a challenging but exciting time in Jamaica’s history.

Chang was addressing the recent passing-out parade, certificate and awards ceremony held on the compound of the National Police College of Jamaica (NPCJ) in Twickenham Park, St Catherine.

The 120 officers who graduated as part of Batch 136, will be added to the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) establishment, which currently stands above 12,000 law enforcers.

Chang, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, urged the newly minted constables to execute their responsibilities effectively.

“Whenever you step out in the public domain, you’re autonomous, independent legal officials who have personal liability and responsibility for your actions and inactions. That is what is referred to as acts of commission and omission,” he indicated.

“In order to carry out your duties effectively, you must be unbiased, impartial and accountable in your actions at all times,” Chang added.

He told the officers that they are entering the JCF at a very exciting time in the country’s history, but “also at a challenging time”.

To that end, the minister urged the officers to be true to themselves, as they will face several challenges as they seek to execute their duties.

“Indeed, the police force is proud to welcome you, and the members of the team at the ministry and the Government as you graduate as professionals.

“Yet, there are sometimes some negative views that will impact you as you move in the wider society, by those who don’t know you who oftentimes view the police as the oppressive end of state,” Chang stated.

“You’ll have to be true to yourself and your mission, remain focused and do not allow this to deviate you. You are indeed part of a police force – a force for good.”

The deputy prime minister reminded the graduates that they have sworn allegiance to the people and are, in effect, “the service providers of the people of Jamaica”.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Brandon King and Shamarh Brooks shared a 102-run opening partnership as the West Indies struck a winning formula at last, beating New Zealand by eight wickets in the third Twenty20 international on Sunday to prevent a sweep of the three-match series.

After making the bold decision to rest captain Nicholas Pooran, the hosts also played more than one spinner for the first time in the series and their bowlers flourished on a slow pitch at Sabina Park in Kingston.

New Zealand made only 145 for seven after winning the toss, falling well short of their 185 for five in the first match and 215 for five in the second.

West Indies’ bowler Akeal Hosein celebrates with captain Rovman Powell. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa).

The West Indies reached their target with an over to spare, as stand-in captain Rovman Powell hit Jimmy Neesham for six to clinch the win and leave the series 2-1 in New Zealand’s favour.

Left-armer Akeal Hosein, playing for the first time in the series, took two for 28 while right-arm fast bowler Odean Smith took a career-best three for 29 and Dominic Drakes, also appearing for the first time, took one for 19 from four overs.

King, who missed the first two matches of the series with injury, provided impetus for the run chase by taking 53 runs from 35 balls.

Brooks carried his bat throughout the innings, finishing on 56 while Powell hurried the end by striking 27 from 15 balls.

“It was very special being able to do this at home in front of everybody,” King said. “The support is incredible, my family is here and I’m happy to be able to deliver. I think consistency is the key. When you’re an opening batsman you try to give your team a good start.

“Today credit has to be given to the bowlers. They did an excellent job for us and made my job that much easier.”

New Zealand failed to replicate their performances of the first two victories when they made strong starts and built partnerships around Kane Williamson who made 47 in the first match and Glenn Phillips who made 76 in the second.

On Sunday, Hosein came on in only the third over and immediately knocked over Martin Guptill (15) to leave New Zealand 18 for one.

Devon Conway (21), Mitchell Santner (13) and Kane Williamson (24) all made starts but struggled to impart momentum to the innings. That task fell again to Phillips who made 41 from 26 balls and was Man of the Series.

Phillips needed to bat through but was out at a critical stage when New Zealand was 125 for five in the 17th over. New Zealand made big finishes in the first two matches, putting on 64 in the last five overs of the first two matches but managing only 39 in the last five overs this time.

West Indies’ bowler Odean Smith celebrates with wicket keeper Devon Thomas the dismissal of New Zealand’s James Neeshamd. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa).

The West Indies innings stood in complete contrast with the opening partnership between King and Brooks occupying 13.1 overs and making the result a foregone conclusion.

King reached his half century from 30 balls and Brooks hung around to anchor the innings, posting his 50 from 52 deliveries.

“The West Indies adapted to the conditions nicely,” Williamson said. “With the bat we felt if we could get another 15 or so we could get a bit of momentum but they were able to take wickets throughout an execute their plans beautifully.

“They did the same thing with the bat and we couldn’t open up an end with the ball. We knew that with 140 things would have to go well for us with the ball and they outplayed us today.”

The teams meet in the first of three one-day internationals on Wednesday.

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