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The start of the May rains reminds us that the threat of floods and shortly, the hurricane season, must now start to occupy the minds of the region's disaster risk management apparatus. This may seem daunting in the face of the Covid 19 pandemic which is already stretching resources. The economic impact of the pandemic will negatively affect response and recovery should countries suffer a weather-related disaster. In view of the April forecast by Colorado State University which calls for above normal activity for the 2020 North Atlantic season, the region must now start planning for the very real possibility of managing two major events concurrently.

SITUATION UPDATE

According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Situation Report No. 45 (dated 13 May, 2020), there are 17,317 cases in 33 countries/territories (including 24 CARPHA Member States), in the Caribbean Region. The risk of further importation of cases to the rest of the Caribbean remains Very High. Since the previous report on May 11, 2020, an additional 756 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in 12 countries within the Caribbean, bringing the region’s total confirmed cases to 17,317 in 33 countries/territories. This new total represents a 5% increase in the number of confirmed cases. There were 728 deaths recorded in the Caribbean region as at May 13, 2020.

Since February 10, 2020 and as of May 12, 2020, CARPHA has received 3,855 samples from 16 CMS, 426 (11.1%) of which have tested positive since the start of the outbreak, 249 results (6.5%) correspond to unique new cases.

Bridgetown, Barbados, May 13th, 2020 (CDEMA) - In response to the high demand for personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other medical supplies due to COVID-19, the United States has donated more than US $104,000 worth of PPE and other medical supplies for seven Eastern Caribbean countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

SITUATION UPDATE

According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Situation Report No. 42 (dated 6 May, 2020), there are 14,184 cases in 33 countries/territories (including 24 CARPHA Member States), in the Caribbean Region. The risk of further importation of cases to the rest of the Caribbean remains Very High. Since the previous report on May 4 2020, an additional 724 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in 11 countries within the Caribbean, bringing the region’s total confirmed cases to 14,184 in 33 countries/territories. This new total represents a 5% increase in the number of confirmed cases. The number of deaths recorded in the Caribbean region as at May 6 2020 is 603.

Since February 10, 2020 and as of May 5, 2020, CARPHA has received 3,475 samples from 16 CMS, 415 (11.9%) of which have tested positive since the start of the outbreak, 249 results (7.2%) correspond to new cases.

Bridgetown, Barbados, May 4th, 2020 (CDEMA) – Through a tangible demonstration of commitment towards the fight against COVID-19 in the region, the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions (CCCU), the apex regional association for Credit Unions through its Foundation donated US$ 25,000 towards CDEMA’s regional logistical operations for the COVID-19 response to its member countries.

Bridgetown, Barbados, May 1st, 2020 (CDEMA) – The Chairman of the Council of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Honorable Ralph Higgs, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Elizabeth Riley as Executive Director (Acting) of the Agency with effect from May 1, 2020.

Ms. Riley joined the team at the CDEMA Coordinating Unit in 2001 and has been the Deputy Executive Director since April 2012. She also acted in the Deputy position between 2009 and 2012.

SITUATION UPDATE

According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency ( Situation Report No 39 (dated 29 April, 2020 up to 33 countries in the Caribbean region have reported the importation of at least one confirmed case of COVID 19 The risk of further cases in the Caribbean Region remains Very High Since the previous report on April 27 2020 no new countries reported their first confirmed case of COVID 19 within the Caribbean region Additional cases, however, were confirmed in 15 countries within the Caribbean, bringing the region’s total confirmed cases to 11 115 in 33 countries/territories This new total represents a 4 increase in the numbers of confirmed cases Thirteen 13 additional deaths were also recorded, bringing the total numbers of deaths to 509 across the Caribbean.

Bridgetown, Barbados, April 27th, 2020 (CDEMA) – Following seven (7) years of unwavering and exemplary service to the region, Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Mr. Ronald Jackson bids farewell to the Agency as of Thursday April 30, 2020.

Mr. Ronald Jackson was appointed Executive Director of CDEMA on April 3, 2013 and has since provided outstanding leadership to the CDEMA Coordinating Unit and in the implementation of the Agency’s policies and programmes. Mr. Jackson has also provided sterling leadership of the regional coordination and responses to Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent after the Christmas Trough in 2013, Tropical Storm Erika in Dominica in 2015, Hurricanes Irma and Maria (impacting 9 of CDEMA Participating States) in 2017, Hurricane Dorian in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in 2019 and in the current COVID-19 Pandemic now affecting the region.

SITUATION UPDATE

According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Situation Report No. 36 (dated 22 April, 2020), up to 33 countries in the Caribbean region have reported the importation of at least one confirmed case of COVID-19. The risk of further importation of cases to the Caribbean Region remains Very High. The aim for all countries now, is to stop transmission, prevent the spread of the virus and save lives. Based on the Draft CARPHA Health Sector Response Guidelines for COVID-19 circulated to Member States, most countries are encouraged to implement actions in keeping with the Initial or Targeted Action in the Response Phase.

  1. CDEMA Situation Report #6 - COVID-19 Outbreak in CDEMA Participating States - as of 8:00pm on April 16th, 2020
  2. CDEMA Situation Report #5 - COVID-19 Outbreak in CDEMA Participating States - as of 8:00pm on April 9th, 2020
  3. CDEMA and the UN convene Caribbean Partner Donor Group Meeting amid COVID-19 crisis
  4. CDEMA Situation Report #4 - COVID-19 Outbreak in CDEMA Participating States - as of 8:00pm on April 2nd, 2020
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