CARPHA Upgrades the Risk of Transmission of Coronavirus in the Caribbean to 'Moderate to High'

While there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19
in the Caribbean thus far, transmission of the virus has been reported
in territories with direct flights to Caribbean States.  Therefore, due
to the current increased risk of importation of COVID-19 to the Region,
the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has upgraded the risk of coronavirus disease transmission from low, to “moderate to high.”

In light of this, CARPHA Executive Director, Dr. Joy St. John is urging health authorities of CARPHA Member States (CMS) to shift their mindset from preparedness to readiness and rapid response  and continue to do all that is necessary to strengthen their capacity to respond to possible importation of cases.  Dr. St. John is also encouraging Member States to increase their capacity for surveillance and to adapt their national pandemic preparedness plans to this current situation with COVID-19, as a matter of urgency.

As of February 28, there has been 83,704  cases of patients with
COVID-19.  Outside of China, 52 countries have confirmed at least one
case among travellers exposed in China and/or person-to-person contact. 
Of the deaths reported to date, fifty were from outside of Mainland
China and several new countries in Europe (Denmark, Estonia,
Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Northern Ireland, Norway, San Marino,
Netherlands, North Macedonia, Belarus, Romania, Pakistan Afghanistan,
Bahrain, Iraq, and Oman) one in Africa (Nigeria) and
another in Oceania (New Zealand) reported their first case of COVID-19
in the last 48 hours.    Closer to the Caribbean region, in Latin
America, Brazil has also reported its first case of COVID-19.

CARPHA has therefore identified that with the rapid spread of the
virus from China to 38 other countries, Member States must be vigilant
to detect any imported cases and be prepared to manage any subsequent
local transmission.

Dr. St John stated “We stand ready to
provide support and guidance to Member States on how to strengthen their
health systems response should there be importation and any subsequent
person-to-person transmission in the Caribbean.   We are currently
working with regional partners to develop a CARICOM Regional Plan to
manage the COVID-19 outbreak.”

CARPHA urges the public to practice simple everyday preventive
actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.   It is
recommended that persons maintain basic hand and respiratory hygiene,
and avoid close contact, when possible, with anyone showing symptoms of
respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.   In addition:

• Frequently clean hands using soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub if your hands are not visibly dirty.
• When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue. Throw tissue away immediately and wash hands;
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough;
• If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care
  early, and share previous travel history with your health care provider.

More information about COVID-19 can be found at http://carpha.org/What-We-Do/Public-Health/Novel-Coronavirus