WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is urging Caribbean countries to reinforce contact tracing and data systems as cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) more than doubled in the region of the Americas in recent weeks.
The United Nations health agency said the number of new COVID-19 infections reported in the Americas more than doubled, rising from 5.3 million at the start of July to 12 million cases by late August. “Primary health care should be at the center of the response: identifying cases, acting to contain transmission and providing timely care in the community,” said the Dominican-born PAHO Director Dr. Carissa F. Etienne. “… We can’t stop all transmission, but if countries stay vigilant and expand testing and surveillance, they can better identify spikes in cases and act quickly to contain them before they spread out of control.”
BAD SIGN
PAHO said despite the rise in cases, countries have gradually relaxed restrictions, resumed commerce and some are gearing up to head back to school. “This is not a good sign,” she said. “Wishing the virus away will not work, it will only lead to more cases.
”PAHO said data from the Americas show the majority of COVID-19 cases are reported in people between ages 20 and 59 years, but almost 70 percent of deaths are reported in people over 60. “This indicates that younger people are primarily driving the spread of the disease in our region,” said Dr. Etienne. “Many young people who contract the virus may not become ill or require an ICU bed, but they can spread it to others who will.
“This is a stark reminder that defeating COVID-19 is a shared responsibility – not only among countries and regions, but between people, neighbors and communities … If you don’t take the right steps to keep yourself safe, you’re putting others in danger.” Dr. Etienne said she was concerned about new infections in the Caribbean as countries open their borders. By mid-August, The Bahamas had observed a 60 percent increase, compared to the previous week, while Sint Maarten, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States Virgin Islands all reported a 25 percent jump.
