Covid-19 in the Caribbean
Situation update, as of 19th January 2021:
A resurgence of Covid-19 contaminations has been observed in Barbados and Cuba where clusters of cases have been identified in recent days. In Cuba, new restrictions have been decided, especially in the capital Havana, which has closed its schools, as well as bars and restaurants. Officials in Barbados have extended the nationwide curfew until at least Jan. 31 as part of the country’s effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Only essential services are permitted outside during the curfew hours.
Another concern is related to the risk of spreading more contagious variant strains of SARS-CoV-2. Given this risk, the political authorities of Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana have decided to strengthen health security by reducing cross-border flows and implementing strict control of arrivals in these territories from Monday, January 18, 2021. At the same time, logistics are being put in place to ensure vaccination.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is deeply concerned at the current prospect of inequitable access to vaccines to address the pandemic, especially for frontline workers and vulnerable populations. CARPHA, PAHO and the EU partner to guarantee equitable access to more than 1M doses of anticipated COVID-19 Vaccine and have secured down payments to purchase the doses of the expected COVID-19 vaccine(s) for Caribbean Member States.
| Countries/ Territories | Cases 16 December | Cases 19 January | Deaths 16 December | Deaths 19 January | Population |
| Dominican Republic | 155 797 | 194 966 | 2 377 | 2 449 | 10 630 000 |
| Puerto Rico | 107 158 | 142 340 | 1 272 | 1 642 | 3 193 000 |
| Cuba | 9 588 | 18 443 | 137 | 173 | 11 340 000 |
| French Guiana | 11 906 | 15 055 | 71 | 76 | 283 450 |
| Jamaica | 11 875 | 14 274 | 276 | 326 | 2 956 242 |
| Haïti | 9 597 | 10 907 | 234 | 240 | 11 120 000 |
| Guadeloupe | 8 524 | 8 886 | 154 | 154 | 376 879 |
| Bahamas | 7 698 | 8 067 | 164 | 175 | 392 244 |
| Suriname | 5 381 | 7 624 | 117 | 145 | 586 206 |
| Trinidad & Tobago | 6 900 | 7 399 | 123 | 132 | 1 399 448 |
| Guyana | 5 973 | 6 931 | 156 | 170 | 788 095 |
| Martinique | 5 575 | 6 263 | 42 | 44 | 372 594 |
| Sint Maarten | 1 269 | 1 669 | 26 | 27 | 40 654 |
| Barbados | 297 | 1 095 | 7 | 7 | 287 730 |
| Saint-Martin | 801 | 1 076 | 12 | 12 | 37 264 |
| Sainte Lucia | 278 | 621 | 4 | 8 | 181 889 |
| St Vincent and the Grenadines | 98 | 540 | 0 | 2 | 110 210 |
| Saint- Barthelemy | 162 | 251 | 1 | 1 | 9 131 |
| Antigua & Barbuda | 148 | 189 | 5 | 6 | 96 000 |
| Grenada | 85 | 139 | 0 | 1 | 111 454 |
| Dominica | 88 | 110 | 0 | 0 | 71 625 |
| Saint Kitts & Nevis | 28 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 52 441 |
| Montserrat | 13 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 5 900 |