The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) reported today that 74% of residents in six Caribbean countries are willing to take the Covid19 vaccines to protect themselves against the virus. The information came out of a survey done between 17th February to 18th June 2021. The countries involved in the report are Barbados, Curacao, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and … [Read more...]
COVID-19: Caribbean aims for 80 percent vaccine coverage
CARICOM’s heads of Government are determined that the region will see herd immunity of 80 per cent coverage before the end of 2021 and, to this end, agreed to redouble their efforts to acquire adequate supplies of vaccines at this week’s heads of government meeting. The group tabled a report on the COVID-19 situation from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), in particular citing the … [Read more...]
What should I know about the coronavirus delta variant?
It's a version of the coronavirus that has been found in more than 80 countries since it was first detected in India. It got its name from the World Health Organization, which names notable variants after letters of the Greek alphabet. Viruses constantly mutate, and most changes aren't concerning, but there is a worry that some variants might evolve enough to be more contagious, cause more … [Read more...]
In race to recovery, the Caribbean wants less hesitancy, more vaccines
On May 5, the governor and premier of Montserrat — a British overseas territory with about 5,000 people — jointly delivered an “urgent appeal” on COVID-19 inoculation, saying 900 vaccine doses are set to expire by the end of the month. “It would be a travesty, it would be a stain on our island’s reputation, I think, for us to have to throw away these vaccines at a time … [Read more...]
UK Variant of COVID-19 Now Spreading Among Jamaican Population
The more contagious United Kingdom variant of COVID-19 called B.1.1.7 is now spreading among the Jamaican population. This revelation was made by Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton, at a virtual press conference on Monday, March 8. Tufton said seven of the eight samples that were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad and Tobago returned positive … [Read more...]