CARICOM is being advised to resist the temptation to panic when responding to the Coronavirus which the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a “global emergency”.
“History has shown that panic does not assist the resolution of these matters,” CARICOM chair and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley told a press conference at the CARICOM Secretariat last evening.
Mottley stressed that the region should take an evidence-based approach in its response and contextualize the concern about the Coronavirus against other public health concerns in the region.
“We have to work with our frontline workers so that they understand and contextualize the risk of the public health outbreak that we are having. If you look back at how we handled SARS and the Ebola Virus it is very different. We need to get it right and I’m satisfied that we are on our way to doing that,” she explained.
Mottley spoke to media several hours after the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) – all Community Institutions – as well as the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) provided updates to the Council on Human and Social Development (COHSOD) in relation to a Regional Response and Guidelines for action.
According to a secretariat report on the meeting, those present agreed that the comprehensive Communications Strategy would address misinformation about the virus, as well as provide citizens with correct information on how the situation is being addressed.
“The strategy will target various audiences and include information about the ways in which the virus can be prevented, transmitted and controlled,” it explained.
Additionally it was recommended that the Region agree to a coordinated, standard approach for handling of entry to air and sea ports. Issues such as the roles and functions of personnel at the ports; transporting of samples for testing; dialogue with airlines and cruise lines; and action to be taken before, during and after an outbreak, were also discussed.
Noting that she will not prejudge the possible effectiveness of the measures discussed a few hours earlier by COHSOD Mottley stressed that she was comfortable with the multi-tiered response deployed so far including the use of the Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC) to access and share information on persons seeking entry into the community.
“It is not often that I get to say to the Community be thankful for decision made on your behalf but I was on the frontlines in 2007 when the Joint Regional Communication Centre which allows us to check persons coming into the region against databases that are critical [was established],” she explained.
According to Mottley the JRCC allows CARICOM to do real time checks with Interpol and with the US Department of Homeland Security on the movement and tracking of people and will provide for individual states and the region as a whole to take measured steps about what can be accomplished at borders and ports of entry.
This is the first step of a process which should she noted also include being able to put in place appropriate quarantine if necessary.
According to PAHO/WHO, Cor-onaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). Common symptoms of the virus include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. More severe infections can cause pneumonia, kidney failure and even death.
Zoonotic
The cause of the infection is unknown though Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.
Guyana has already instituted measurers to either quarantine or deny entry to those who display symptoms of the virus.
An advisory issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that persons arriving from China will be subject to quarantine protocols, while also indicating that they could be denied entry.
“Persons in China who plan to travel to Guyana are asked to defer those plans until further notice as they are likely to be denied entry. Those in Guyana, who plan to travel to China, are advised to postpone those plans. Persons arriving in Guyana from China, will be subject to quarantine protocols and may be quarantined in a health facility or at home, depending on the outcome of the risk assessment,” the advisory noted.
As it relates to recent travellers, the advisory urged those who would have arrived here after January 1st to contact their nearest health facility urgently and to remain at home for 14 days after date of arrival.
The advisory further stated that should “flu like” symptoms arise within 14 days after return to Guyana from China or another “highly” affected country, persons are asked to contact the hotline on 592-227-8683 ext. 215.
“Those who must travel to and from China are advised to take precautions against contracting the virus by avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections, crowds and the consumption of uncooked food; universal precautions to take include the frequent washing of hands, especially after direct contact with ill persons or their environment,” the advisory stated.
Additionally, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), in a Facebook post advised travellers that if they develop symptoms during travels or upon arrival into Guyana or any territory, to inform a flight attendant, a port health officer or a border services officer immediately.
“They will determine whether you need further medical assessment,” the CJIA said.
The airport also pleaded with travellers to cooperate for the screening process, if requested by airport/ health officials.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud had said at a press conference earlier this week that screening has started at the various ports of entry across the country, including the Eugene F Correia International Airport and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, where the Public Health Ministry has been sensitising officials on how to deal with suspected cases.
The Georgetown Public Hospital and the Diamond Regional Hospital have been identified as the two facilities for isolation of any passengers suspected to have the coronavirus.
The Port Health Office at CJIA is always opened, the airport said yesterday.
