Caribbean: Countries and territories continue to report COVID-19 disease activity as of June 1. /update 16

Event

Several countries and territories continue to report COVID-19 transmission as of June 1. According to data through June 1 from the World Health Organization (WHO), the following countries and territories have identified confirmed COVID-19 cases:

No cases:

• Montserrat: 20 cases (Last case reported Feb. 14)

• Sint Eustatius: 20 cases (Last case reported Jan. 19)

Sporadic cases:

• Cayman Islands: 584 cases

• Grenada: 161 cases

• Saba: 7 cases

Clusters of cases:

• Bahamas: 11,796 cases

• Turks and Caicos Islands: 2,417 cases

• Antigua and Barbuda: 1,260 cases

• Saint-Barthelemy: 1,005 cases

• British Virgin Islands: 248 cases

• Dominica: 188 cases

• Anguilla: 109 cases

• Saint Kitts and Nevis: 69 cases*

Community transmission:

• Dominican Republic: 292,786 cases*

• Puerto Rico: 138,579 cases

• Cuba: 142,266 cases

• Jamaica: 48,557 cases

• Trinidad and Tobago: 23,909 cases*

• Haiti: 14,453 cases*

• Curacao: 12,272 cases

• Martinique: 11,960 cases*

• Aruba: 10,985 cases

• Saint Lucia: 5,067 cases*

• Barbados: 4,017 cases*

• US Virgin Islands: 3,442 cases

• Bermuda: 2,494 cases

• Sint Maarten: 2,414 cases

• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: 2,035 cases*

• Saint Martin: 1,915 cases

• Bonaire: 1,585 cases

Not applicable

• Guadeloupe: 14,634 cases

*As of June 1, these countries are reporting increases in the number of active cases.

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. Multiple variants of COVID-19 have been identified globally, some of which spread more easily between people. COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed to frontline workers and the elderly in some countries, while other vaccines are in varying stages of development and clinical trials; more data is required to determine the efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19 variants.

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