32 Hurricane Melissa deaths still under investigation in Jamaica

Thirty-two deaths remain under investigation following the passage of Hurricane Melissa in October, according to an update delivered Wednesday by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

Director General Commander Alvin Gayle told the Post-Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House that the confirmed death toll stands at 45, with 13 people still unaccounted for.

“Our thoughts remain with the families of those we’ve lost,” he said.

Commander Gayle also reported significant public-health concerns emerging in Melissa’s aftermath. Authorities have recorded 84 suspected and 30 confirmed cases of leptospirosis, along with 12 related deaths, seven of which have been officially confirmed.

Additionally, two tetanus cases have been identified, including one death.

“These figures underscore the scale of the human impact and the seriousness with which the ministries, departments and agencies of Government continue to approach the recovery effort,” he said.

As of Tuesday night, 101 emergency shelters remain open across seven parishes, housing 1,061 people displaced by the storm.

Commander Gayle noted that while the road to recovery will be long, the country is now moving steadily from emergency response into early recovery and, ultimately, rebuilding.

“We affirm that no community will be forgotten,” he said. “The ODPEM and other local authorities, international partners, the private sector, faith-based and community organisers are united in a single mission to restore lives, livelihoods and dignity, and to build back better, safer and stronger.”