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Dr. Carissa Etienne, Director of the Pan American Well being Group (PAHO), highlighted the crucial want for international locations to scale-up testing and, specifically, to leverage “good” use of speedy antigen checks.
Over the previous week, COVID-19 circumstances within the area reached new peaks, with practically 7.2 million new infections and greater than 15,000 deaths.
“Though Omicron infections look like milder, we proceed to induce warning as a result of the virus is spreading extra actively than ever earlier than,” she stated.
Regional overview
COVID-19 hospitalizations proceed to surge in North America, america and Canada.
Panama, Costa Rica and Honduras noticed their caseloads greater than double over the previous week, representing the best numbers of latest circumstances in Central America.
Caribbean islands are additionally witnessing the steepest improve in infections within the practically three years because the pandemic was declared. Instances in Martinique have risen by greater than 600 per cent, whereas Saint Martin has reported a greater than 135 per cent improve.
Caseloads in additional than 17 international locations and territories have no less than doubled, which she stated is particularly regarding as hospital capability in lots of islands is restricted.
Infections are also accelerating in Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia, whereas hospitalizations are rising in Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina.
‘Use checks well’
Because the virus surges, international locations are confronting what Dr. Etienne known as the “acquainted problem” of testing.
Regardless of a robust community of laboratories throughout the Americas, demand for testing is increased than ever, particularly as many international locations are additionally experiencing an energetic flu season, “so it’s crucial that international locations use checks well,” she stated.
PAHO has beneficial that one of the best ways to spice up testing is to leverage speedy antigen checks, which give a analysis in minutes.
These checks don’t require specialised coaching or costly tools, and might be deployed to main well being centres, that means extra individuals might be reached.
Dr. Etienne urged international locations to increase testing on the neighborhood stage to alleviate stress on overburdened hospitals.
“As a result of we face a testing scarcity, PAHO recommends that international locations prioritize speedy antigen checks for people who’re experiencing COVID signs and are vulnerable to spreading the virus,” she stated.
Assist to international locations
PAHO continues to help regional international locations throughout the pandemic.
Via its Strategic Fund, greater than 42 million PCR diagnostic checks and speedy antigen checks for practically 40 international locations have been acquired because the begin of the disaster, greater than two years in the past.
Greater than 12 million checks have been deployed to international locations in want, with shares despatched to Bolivia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, in addition to St. Kitts and Nevis, in current weeks.
The well being company has additionally established agreements with two of the WHO-approved producers of COVID-19 diagnostic checks, to safe them at diminished value.
Dr. Etienne urged governments to reap the benefits of this association by buying diagnostic checks by means of the PAHO Strategic Fund.
Since January of 2021, the Fund has bought greater than 22 million COVID checks on behalf of regional international locations, and orders are anticipated to extend this yr.
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