WASHINGTON, D.C. –The director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Dr. Carissa F. Etienne has called on countries to urgently increase investments to develop and retain the nursing workforce as the region records increases in hospitalizations and cases linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.

WASHINGTON, DC – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Monday urged countries to step-up efforts to tackle malaria in the region, calling for prevention, diagnosis and treatment interventions that are data-led and tailored to local contexts.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Barbados Parliament Tuesday gave the green light to a further extension of the state of emergency (SOE) as the island deals with a new wave of cases linked to COVID-19.

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands - The government of the Cayman Islands has confirmed that the mask mandate for everyone aged five and over in public buildings, schools, restaurants, bars, transport, including inbound flights to Cayman, and other indoor settings where social distancing cannot be maintained will be in effect for two more months.

ROSEAU, Dominica – The director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO),  Dr Carissa Etienne, Tuesday said Caribbean Community (CARICOM) trade ministers have been blocking attempts to encourage food labeling in the region, renewing a call for taxes on sugar and sweetened beverages.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony said Tuesday that there were “zero vaccinations” done over the long Easter weekend and appealed to Guyanese to get vaccinated against the coronavirus even as the country relaxes most of the measures that had been put in place to curb the spread of the virus.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Ministry of Health and Wellness is appealing to Jamaicans to get vaccinated after health authorities said recent data showed that unvaccinated persons account for 97.7 percent of coronavirus (COVID)-19- related deaths.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Salus Medical Inc., a local medical distribution company, has announced plans to introduce robot-assisted surgery to Guyana’s healthcare sector – a first for the region.

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands – Health Minister Carvin Malone says the government of this British Overseas territory will be making several amendments to the current COVID-19 regulations in the territory including the removal of the mask mandate in outdoor public spaces.

The Lionel Town Hospital (LTH) in Clarendon has embarked on a drive to get its residents to eat healthier, empowering them with information and teaching practical methods of preparing affordable meals.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica’s COVID-19 response has been boosted by approximately J$40 million (US$258,000) in the form of new medical equipment, courtesy of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

PARAMARIBO, Suriname – The Suriname government has relaxed a number of the measures put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus.