Yesterday, Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, the Director of the Pan American
Health Organization (PAHO), urged the region to prepare for the
formidable challenge of the weather, which could worsen the COVID-19
situation.
Dr. Etienne acknowledged the efforts of Latin America and the
Caribbean in working together to stem the spread of COVID-19, but
pleaded with the territories to put plans in place for the hurricane
season and the coming winter season.
“In South America, our response to the pandemic will be impacted by
the arrival of winter, while hurricane season will complicate our
efforts in North and Central America, and especially in the
Caribbean,” said Etienne.
The director noted that PAHO did not have data showing that
temperature or humidity influenced the spread of COVID-19, but there
was evidence that the winter season fuels respiratory infections such
as seasonal influenza and pneumonia. Both of which can rapidly spread
in colder climates and as more people gather indoors to stay warm.
“This is a problem for patients because respiratory illnesses leave
them at greater risk of severe COVID-19 infection. It is also a
challenge for strained health systems that will have to cope with the
dual burden of a coronavirus pandemic and a spike in other respiratory
illnesses. It does not help that the similar symptoms will make
diagnosing COVID-19 even harder,” explained the director.
Countries in the Caribbean, Central America as well as the Eastern and
Southern coasts of the United States are bracing for what many experts
believe could be one of the worst hurricane seasons on record. Etienne
highlighted that it would be an uphill battle for those countries that
would have to respond to a hurricane in the midst of the pandemic.
“As storms ravage towns and communities, they decimate sanitation
systems, they contaminate water supplies and fracture the delivery of
health care. Three lifelines that are critical to containing the
spread of COVID-19,” stated Etienne.
The director reassured countries who may find themselves in the path
of any storms during the hurricane season that PAHO was there to help
them prepare and was ready to support each country in the event of an
emergency. She however reiterated the fact that there was no time like
the present to review national hurricane response plans and conduct
simulation exercises to ensure that disaster and COVID-19 responses
are aligned.
“We should also plan for potential disruptions to the care of
critically ill patients and refine evac-uation plans. PAHO has already
issued guidance to manage emergency shelters, including pre-cautions
to minimize the spread of COVID-19 by designating distinct zones to
allow for social distancing, regularly disinfecting high-trafficked
areas and swiftly isolating individuals who show signs of illness,”
explained Etienne.
PAHO is also working to provide emergency response supplies throughout
the region, and to secure critical facilities like laboratories, and
quarantine and isolation centers, so diagnosis and treatment for
COVID-19 can continue even under difficult circumstances. Etienne
outlined the reality that the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the region
to the limit and that communities and health systems carry a
significant burden, but the combined sight of the region is on
containing the virus.
“Preparing for winter and hurricane season is a critical part of this
fight. We must take action today to safeguard our progress and
mitigate the spread of the virus during this time. And that means
redoubling our efforts to control the spread of COVID-19, so that we
reduce the dual burden the approaching winter and hurricane seasons
might bring,” said Etienne.
The PAHO director also highlighted proudly that the experience of the
region in navigating these challenges has fueled the resilience in the
fight against COVID-19. However, she contended that more must be done
now, including strengthening health infrastructure by hiring surge
staff and expanding reserves of essential supplies and protective
equipment. It is a measure which will help ensure the work done to
prepare for COVID-19, is reinforced to address these seasonal threats.