Health
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CARPHA Statement on the Brazil Variant (P.1)
Given the nature of the virus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19, variants are likely to emerge and several have emerged all over the world. Variants are a natural part of viral infection and replication. In this regard, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants that cause COVID-19, such as Brazil, UK and South African variants, is normal and expected. Some variants have been reported…
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Update from the Caribbean Public Health Agency on COVID-19 Vaccines and Variants
The Caribbean Public Health Agency is aware that some countries in the European Union have suspended their AstraZeneca vaccination campaign, as a result of reports of rare blood coagulation disorders in people who had received the vaccine. This was done as a precautionary measure while a full investigation is conducted into the reports. At present, it cannot be determined whether…
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Statement by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability
As the world grapples with the challenge of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is deeply concerned at the current prospect of inequitable access to vaccines to address the pandemic, especially for frontline workers and vulnerable populations. The reality is that small states will find it difficult to compete in the market place to ensure equitable access for…
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World AIDS Day: Multisectoral Response is Even Greater in COVID-19 Times – CARPHA
This year, the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most serious global public health challenges in recent times, and the world’s attention has been on the impact of COVID-19 on health, lives and livelihoods. The pandemic has demonstrated how health is connected with other critical issues, such as reducing inequality, human rights, gender equality, social protection and economic growth. With…
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COVID-19Critical Personal Protective Equipment Procured for Caribbean Frontline Medical Workers
(Caribbean Development Bank, July 23, 2020, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados) – Critically needed personal protective equipment (PPE) is on its way to medical workers on the front lines of the Caribbean’s COVID-19 pandemic response. Yesterday, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) took delivery of the majority of US$3 million worth of PPE at the Port of…
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COVID-19CARPHA Laboratory Achieves 100% Turnaround Time For All Diagnostic Tests
In June 2020, the CARPHA Medical Microbiology Laboratory (CMML) processed the largest number of samples – an unprecedented achievement in the history of the organisation. The laboratory received a total of 3,250 samples, representing an average of more than 150 samples per business day. As the regional reference laboratory, the CMML continues to conduct tests for suspected COVID-19 cases for…
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COVID-19‘We Have Done Fairly Well in Containing COVID-19’ – CARICOM Secretary-General
Secretary General of the Caribbean Community Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said the Region has done fairly well in containing COVID-19. He was speaking during the virtual Handing-over Ceremony of Chairmanship of the Conference of the Heads of Government of CARCIOM on Friday, 3 July. Ambassador LaRocque outlined that protocols had been developed by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the CARICOM…
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COVID-19CARICOM 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…
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Regional Response to Novel Corona-virus is ‘Regionalism Working’ – Prime Minister Chastanet
Prime Minister of Saint Lucia and Outgoing Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, Hon. Allan Chastanet, has lauded the Region’s response to the Novel Corona-virus as “regionalism working”. The Prime Minister said the approach reminded him of the importance of being part of a group that in times of emergency had your back. He expressed gratitude…
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PANCAP Knowledge Exchange Promotes Successful Models of Care for Key Populations
(PANCAP Coordinating Unit, CARICOM Secretariat) The Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) has collaborated with the Integral Orientation and Research Center/Centro de Orientación e Investigación Integral (COIN) to facilitate a learning exchange focused on Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and successful HIV testing strategies for key populations to access prevention and treatment. The capacity-building initiative will be held in Santo Domingo, Dominican…
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