Streets of Jamaica appears calm

Police patrolled the streets of Kingston on Tuesday

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CNN) -- The streets of Jamaica's capital appeared calm Tuesday night after soldiers in tanks, in armored vehicles and on foot spread out across the city on orders from the prime minister to restore order after days of violence.

At least 22 people have died in gunbattles since Saturday, including two police officers and a soldier. Dozens of others have been wounded.

As night fell in the capital, the minister of national security, K.D. Knight, said the situation was back to normal. However, many observers were watching and waiting to see whether rival gangs would clash yet again.

Police said gunfire was sporadic throughout the day in sharp contrast from the weekend violence.

Errol Beckford, the chief executive officer of Kingston Public Hospital, said the hospital had so many wounded over the weekend that some nurses fainted.

"It's been traumatic. The majority of our staff are trained to cope with traumas of this nature. They have advised me this is the worst yet," he said.

Earlier Tuesday, roadblocks -- some set up by soldiers and others by opposition supporters trying to inhibit the movement of troops -- appeared to be spreading in parts of Kingston, often blocking roads to tourist areas. At some, gangs of citizens charged approaching cars, smashing in windows.

Police advised tourists not to travel to Kingston, but said the popular areas north of the city were safe and secure.

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson said earlier the Jamaican Defense Force had been authorized to "apprehend those engaged in criminal pursuits and undertake a rigorous and unfettered search into any area where there is reason to believe that illegal weapons are held or hidden."

"The government cannot stand idly by and allow criminal elements to hold the country to ransom," the prime minister said.

Members of parliament met Tuesday with business leaders to try to find a solution to the gang-related violence that has plagued the capital for several years. Prayer meetings were also held in the evening in several Kingston neighborhoods.

The violence broke out over the weekend between police and gunmen in West Kingston's Tivoli Gardens, a stronghold of the political opposition Jamaica Labor Party. The outbreak came after months of escalating tensions between the country's two main political parties. Police were searching for fugitives, guns and ammunition.

The U.S. State Department issued a warning asking U.S. citizens living in or traveling to Jamaica to "exercise caution in Kingston, Jamaica's capital."

The warning said there have been "ongoing gun battles between security forces and politically affiliated gangs in West Kingston," which have resulted in roads and streets to the Norman Manley International Airport being blocked for periods of time.

The violence could affect the island's $1.3 billion tourism industry, although most visitors go to resorts in the north and west parts of the island, while the violence has been concentrated in the southeast.

-- CNN Correspondent Susan Candiotti and Journalist Zahra Burton contributed to this story.