Caribbean: Countries and territories continue to report COVID-19 disease activity through February /update 13

Event

Several countries and territories in the Caribbean have continued to report coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission through February. According to data through Feb. 3 from the World Health Organization (WHO), the following countries and territories in the Caribbean have identified confirmed COVID-19 cases:

No active cases:

• Montserrat: Last reported confirmed case July 29

Sporadic cases:

• Saint Lucia: 1,411 cases*

• Bermuda: 692 cases

• Cayman Islands: 398 cases

• Saint-Barthelemy: 379 cases*

• Antigua and Barbuda: 234 cases*

• Grenada: 148 cases

• Saint Kitts and Nevis: 39 cases*

• Anguilla: 17 cases*

Clusters of cases:

• Cuba: 28,636 cases*

• Bahamas: 8,225 cases*

• Turks and Caicos Islands: 1,504 cases

• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: 1,008 cases*

• British Virgin Islands: 141 cases*

• Dominica: 121 cases*

Community transmission:

• Dominican Republic: 215,920 cases

• Puerto Rico: 94,526 cases*

• Jamaica: 15,973 cases*

• Haiti: 11,672 cases*

• Guadeloupe: 9,156 cases*

• Trinidad and Tobago: 7,566 cases

• Martinique: 6,442 cases*

• Aruba: 6,986 cases

• Curacao: 4,585 cases

• US Virgin Islands: 2,426 cases

• Sint Maarten: 1,870 cases

• Barbados: 1,558 cases

• Saint Martin: 1,289 cases*

• Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba: 366 cases*

*As of Feb. 3, these countries are reporting increases in the number of active cases.

Additional cases may be added to this list at any time as disease surveillance and testing continues.

Context

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Human-to-human transmission does occur, primarily through respiratory droplets from infected individuals or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, and dry cough; less common symptoms include headache, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, reddening of the eyes, skin rash, or discoloration of the fingers or toes. Symptoms may worsen to difficulty breathing, pneumonia, and organ failure - especially in those with underlying, chronic medical conditions. Some infected individuals display no symptoms.

Older individuals and people of any age with chronic medical conditions or compromised immunity should consider postponing nonessential travel, including domestic travel, and take special precautions to avoid becoming ill, especially where sustained community transmission of COVID-19 is ongoing. All individuals should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning from travel.

Advice

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

WHO coronavirus knowledge base
WHO: Public health considerations while resuming international travel
US CDC: Guidance for Businesses and Workplaces
US CDC: Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities
Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak
US CDC: Manage Anxiety and Stress
New England Journal of Medicine: COVID Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions