Coronavirus Cases Expected to Rise in the Caribbean

Despite a low number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the British Virgin Islands, the Caribbean region is forecast to experience a surge in cases and deaths in the coming weeks.

According to BVI News (British Virgin Islands), the World Health Organisation’s Regional Director for the Americas, Dr Carissa Etienne, made the disclosure recently.

She said while it is difficult to forecast the direct impact the pandemic will have on each country in the region, studies have shown that the virus will continue to spread rapidly if precautionary measures are not adhered to.

“Within the assessments and analysis that we’ve been able to make, we do believe that within the next month or so – three to six weeks – that many of our countries will begin to see an increase in the number of cases. There are some of our countries that will experience an overwhelming of their health systems and we will also see an increase number of deaths,” Dr Etienne said.

Dr Etienne, who is also the Director of the Pan American Health Organization, further explained the variables which would determine the level of impact the virus would have on a given country.

Dr Etienne called for solidarity between governments in the region to share resources and experiences so all can achieve the common goal of exiting the pandemic with minimal impact.

Up to publication time, the region reportedly recorded a little more than 6,002 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 318 deaths and 623 recoveries.

The British Virgin Islands currently has three confirmed case. Of that number, two have unofficially recovered and are awaiting secondary testing results from the Caribbean Public Health Organization in Trinidad.