Two children among six new COVID-19 cases in Linden

Health Officials in Region 10 have confirmed that six of the recent coronavirus cases are from the Linden community, triggering a plea by officials in the town for Lindeners to practice stay at home measures.

Linden has now recorded a total of 9 coronavirus cases inclusive of one death and a recovery.

In a statement today, the Regional Health Emergency Committee in Region 10 also revealed that two children are among the new cases in Linden and another child and two adults are awaiting results.

Regional Executive officer and Head of the Regional Emergency Committee, Orrin Gordon said sections of the population of Region Ten continues to be irresponsible even with the threat of the coronavirus.

He said based on the six new cases, it has been determined that the disease is now locally imported in the community.

“People must understand that COVID 19 is deadly and people within this region must understand that they should remain responsible as they continue to put themselves and every other person at risk. We were at one case long after other regions had announced theirs and within a short space, we have now jumped to eight persons,” he said.

He echoed sentiments made by the Deputy Police Commander who noted that the public seems uncaring of the dangers and risks involved especially for those frontline and essential workers.

Giving an insight into the persons who have contracted the virus, the REO said that five of the new cases are from one family.

He said that the third infected case in the region has now seen the man’s wife and close family members being infected.

He noted further that the man’s twelve-year-old niece and one-year old daughter have also been infected.

The sixth case is a woman with no relation to the other five positive cases.

“It hurts me to know that we have two children among those infected as prior to this we had not reported any infections among children and I hope that parents and guardians would recognize that children are not exempted from contracting this deadly virus. Therefore, it is imperative that they take the required actions and precautions to safeguard children during this time,” the Executive Officer reiterated.

Linden is now the town with the second highest number of cases, coming just after the capital city which remains the epicenter.