CARICOM Member States taking preventive measures against coronavirus

As more countries around the world begin to report cases of the 2019-Novel Coronavirus Outbreak, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States have begun to take steps to ensure the impact is minimised in the Region. Surveillance teams have been established and other preventive measures have been put in place.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 2019 novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was identified by Chinese authorities in Wuhan, Hubei Province. The virus was never before thought to be transmitted from human to human. Since the original notice two weeks ago, there have been more than 300 cases reported globally. The virus has since spread to Thailand, Republic of Korea and the United States.

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) said in a press release that it had activated its incident management team and was coordinating the Regional Health response to the outbreak in light of the increased number of confirmed cases of infections in China and internationally.

“CARPHA is monitoring the international situation as it evolves. We continue to work closely with Caribbean Member States (CMS), and Caribbean coordinating partners and mechanisms to respond to the threat and to prepare CMS to prevent further transmission from exported case if they were to happen in countries,” stated Dr. Joy St John, CARPHA Executive Director.

Barbados already had a number of protocols in place which had been developed out of its experience with other potential public health threats, such as Ebola and SARS, Health Minister Lt. Col.

Belize has activated its Belize’s National Surveillance Team and its Ministry of Health will remain vigilant to the developments and update the public as new information becomes available. In the interim, the Health Ministry is advising the populace to continue practicing proper handwashing techniques; wash hands with soap and clean running water before and after eating, when using the bathroom and before preparing food.

Over in Dominica, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment has informed the general public that it has been monitoring all alerts and other communications in relation to the new strain of coronavirus.

The Ministry of Public Health in Guyana said it was preparing counter-measures to prevent the outbreak of the virus in the country.

Trinidad and Tobago has also activated emergency protocols to safeguard the populace from the virus. Minister of Health, Mr. Terrence Deyalsingh visited the Piarco International Airport where he got a firsthand look at Thermal Screening Equipment that reads body temperature and will alert operators when someone with an above-average or feverish temperature has been screened. Screening equipment is also in place at other major ports of entry.

Original source: CARICOM
Published on 28 January 2019