The St Catherine man, believed to be 22 years old, became the first known fatality of the virus in Jamaica.

Conflicting results

He was confirmed with the virus yesterday morning after two preceding tests showed that he was negative, The Gleaner understands.

However, ministry officials were terse on what would have led to the the first two tests showing negative results.

"We are reviewing the case management," said Dr Marion Bullock-Ducasse, director of emergency services in the Ministry of Health.

"I do not have that information."

Spencer, who was in Geneva, Switzerland, on government business, ordered that the results of the investigation be reported to him upon his return on Friday.

According to the health ministry, the patient suffered underlying medical conditions. The H1N1 may have complicated his condition and led to his eventual death.

News of yesterday's first H1N1 death left staff at the UHWI concerned that they were not adequately prepared to handle the cases of the virus, but chief medical officer at the hospital, Dr Trevor McCartney, said there were strict guidelines in place.

Ready to handle cases

"We have procedures and policies in place to handle patients with acute respiratory illnesses," McCartney said.

Jamaica now has 33 cases and one death resulting from the H1N1 virus. The World Organisation reports a total death count of 429 people from 94,512 cases of the virus worldwide.