CARICOM Heads Recognise Covid-19 Economic Threat, Maintain Risk of Regional Transmission Low

The CARICOM Heads of Government have recognised the risk of the novel corona-virus (Covid-19) to the Region but are also satisfied that the current risk of transmission is low.

In a Communique issued after the hosting of the Thirty-First Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government
on 19 February 2020, in Barbados, the Heads outlined that an outbreak
could reverse economic gains of CARICOM states, but said they recognised
that the risk of transmission of the virus in the Region remained
relatively low.

The CARICOM Heads also expressed their empathy and support for China as it continued efforts to contain the virus. The Heads of Government also welcomed efforts by China to assist students and other CARICOM nationals in that country who could not return home and accepted their help to provide support to address potential gaps in a response to Covid-19, should any case be found in the Region.

They also extended commendations to Regional and International Institutions and the CARICOM Secretariat led by CARPHA and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) as well as the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), the Regional Security System (RSS), and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) for providing Member States with guidance to support national response efforts, while strengthening Regional Health Security.

In relation to another health issue affecting the Region, the Heads
expressed concern about the escalation of Chronic Non-Communicable
Diseases. They received a report with respect to the incidence of heart
attacks which  accounted for the highest percentages of deaths amongst
NCDs in most countries in the Region.

Heads of Government welcomed proposals for preventative measures to
arrest the trend through the implementation of a protocol aimed at
transforming the care of those who suffer cardiovascular diseases.

Heads of Government recognised that implementing the proposals would
build CARICOM’s capacity to address the incidence of heart disease and
in that regard mandated the CARICOM Secretariat, the Caribbean Public
Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Caribbean Cardiac Society to prepare a
Draft Regional Strategy aimed at identifying critical Regional public
goods essential for operating that strategy.