Guyana urged to activate national pandemic preparedness plans

…as CARPHA declares greater threat from coronavirus

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has upgraded the risk of transmission for the Coronavirus, after the detection of several cases in the Caribbean.
Alert to the COVID-19 outbreak has been raised “Very High” as reports continue to surface of cases within the region.
In an issued statement, the agency said, “CARPHA has upgraded the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to the Caribbean region to Very High. The revised risk level is based on international risk assessment guidelines, particularly in keeping with risk assessment for MERS-COV and pandemic influenza.”
CARPHA Executive Director, Dr Joy St John stated that there are reports of cases in countries in close proximity to their member states, which can be easily accessed through direct flights.
“CARPHA’s decision is also informed by reports of COVID-19 cases in non-English-speaking Caribbean countries in close proximity to CARPHA Member States. Another factor is sustained transmission of the disease in countries with direct flights into the Caribbean region,” Dr St John stated.
Additionally, multiple countries outside the original epicentre of Wuhan City are reporting an increasing number of confirmed cases. While there has been a significant number of cases outside of China, the country is still battling with new cases.
These recent situations have triggered concerns, and CARPHA is strongly urging it’s member states to heighten their surveillance mechanisms and be ready to implement national pandemic preparedness plans, which have been modified to address COVID-19.
Presently, there has been no breakthrough medication to cure or prevent the spread of the disease. Health officials are still working to develop a specific treatment as the virus spreads rapidly.
For this, the Executive Director said persons should try to limit exposure until treatment is being developed. Persons living within the region are asked to pay attention to control precautions, stand at a distance from coughing persons, wash hands regularly with soap or alcohol-based sanitisers, use a tissue to cough, discard of used tissues immediately, avoid touching sick individuals, and seek early medical care upon signs of a cough, fever or difficulty breathing. All relevant travel history should be shared with a healthcare provider.
With this alarm, it is uncertain whether Guyana possesses the requisite testing materials and facilities to address significant cases of the COVID-19.
Over at the Guyana Public Health Corporation (GPHC), an area with 14 beds was cordoned off, should a person test positive for the virus. Chief Executive Officer of the facility, George Lewis had told Guyana Times that this facility is only for the first detected cases. Should the situation develop into an epidemic, a decision would have to be taken at the national level.
Guyana Times sought to contact Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud for a comment on the upgraded risk of transmission and the health sector’s next plans, but calls went unanswered.
Public health authorities were monitoring 18 persons for the deadly Coronavirus, who would have entered the country from high-risk regions of the world. Some 54 persons were initially under surveillance but 36 were given clearance.
Since the commencement of active monitoring at ports in Guyana on January 18, a total of 54 persons arrived in the country with a history of travel from high-risk areas. Some 51 persons arriving from mainland China or Hong Kong were screened.