The Pan American Health Organization is urging the
2022-02-23 01:34:11
#accelerate#threefold#Organization
With cases in some countries soaring threefold, the region's ability to cope with the current spread depends on the people keeping health centres, clinics and hospitals running. "We must ensure that they are protected from the worst consequences of this virus," Etienne said. In the past week, 6.1 million cases of COVID-19 were reported in countries in the Americas -- a 250 percent increase compared to the same period last year. COVID-19 death rates have held steady thanks to increased vaccinations in the region, but rising emergency room visits and hospitalizations have left many health systems struggling to cope. Etienne stressed that strengthening needles would "help strengthen the resilience of health workers to the virus," especially as infection rates continue to rise. While the Delta variant continues to cause new coronavirus cases in the Americas, omicron is emerging as the dominant strain, spreading faster than other detected variants, especially in enclosed Spaces. Etienne stressed that there has been an increase in the number of re-infections. She says omicron infection can be fatal, especially in immunocompromised and unvaccinated people. She called on people to follow public health measures such as wearing masks and social distancing, getting vaccinated and being tested when symptoms develop to ensure each other's safety.
Overall vaccination coverage in Latin America and the Caribbean is now almost 60 per cent, with many countries, including Chile, Cuba and Argentina, having some of the highest rates in the world. However, maintaining equitable coverage should remain a priority. "Whether we are fighting for vaccine equity, supporting health workers, or doing our part to reduce the risk of transmission, coming together will pave the way out of the pandemic," she said.
The United States has reported most of the new coronavirus cases in the past week, with cases also increasing in Canada's eastern provinces. In the Caribbean, new infections have risen in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, while Jamaica, Aruba, Curacao and Martinique have also seen an increase in cases. The highest incidences of COVID-19 were reported in Central America, Belize and Panama. In South America, the increases were particularly pronounced in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, as well as Argentina and Paraguay, where new cases increased by 300 per cent.
With cases in some countries soaring threefold, the region's ability to cope with the current spread depends on the people keeping health centres, clinics and hospitals running. "We must ensure that they are protected from the worst consequences of this virus," Etienne said. In the past week, 6.1 million cases of COVID-19 were reported in countries in the Americas -- a 250 percent increase compared to the same period last year. COVID-19 death rates have held steady thanks to increased vaccinations in the region, but rising emergency room visits and hospitalizations have left many health systems struggling to cope. Etienne stressed that strengthening needles would "help strengthen the resilience of health workers to the virus," especially as infection rates continue to rise. While the Delta variant continues to cause new coronavirus cases in the Americas, omicron is emerging as the dominant strain, spreading faster than other detected variants, especially in enclosed Spaces. Etienne stressed that there has been an increase in the number of re-infections. She says omicron infection can be fatal, especially in immunocompromised and unvaccinated people. She called on people to follow public health measures such as wearing masks and social distancing, getting vaccinated and being tested when symptoms develop to ensure each other's safety.
Overall vaccination coverage in Latin America and the Caribbean is now almost 60 per cent, with many countries, including Chile, Cuba and Argentina, having some of the highest rates in the world. However, maintaining equitable coverage should remain a priority. "Whether we are fighting for vaccine equity, supporting health workers, or doing our part to reduce the risk of transmission, coming together will pave the way out of the pandemic," she said.
The United States has reported most of the new coronavirus cases in the past week, with cases also increasing in Canada's eastern provinces. In the Caribbean, new infections have risen in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, while Jamaica, Aruba, Curacao and Martinique have also seen an increase in cases. The highest incidences of COVID-19 were reported in Central America, Belize and Panama. In South America, the increases were particularly pronounced in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, as well as Argentina and Paraguay, where new cases increased by 300 per cent.
