Local officials have shifted gear in their preparation efforts, coming up with a Barbados Pandemic Preparedness Plan for COVID-19, as they seek to protect the country from the dreaded virus.
Barbados has no cases of COVID-9
Stage 0 – No cases in Barbados (We are here)
• Enhanced surveillance
• Continued sensitization and communication bulletins to the general population and strategic stakeholders
• Activation of HEOC (Health Emergency Organising Committee)
• Establishment of quarantine facility
• Reviewing and enhancing the National Pandemic Preparedness Plan
• Briefing the NEOC (National Emergency Organising Committee)
Stage 1 – Suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Barbados but no confirmed in country human-to-human transmission
• Briefing of the NEOC for Implementation of the National Pandemic Preparedness Plan
• Activation of the Isolation Centres
• Establishment of the Field Medical Facility (FMF)
• Facility can be used for screening, quarantine and isolation as required.
• PSAs to limit public gathering
• Reconfiguration of polyclinics as screening centres
Stage 2 – Human-to-human in country transmission (confirmed)
• Continued sensitization and communication bulletins to the general population
• Consider standing up additional facilities as required (such as schools for moderate cases requiring hospitalisation)
• Consider standing up additional screening centres (community centres, churches, schools)
Stage 3 – Extensive human-to-human transmission and health services are overwhelmed
• Declaring a State of Emergency
• Ensuring continuity of government
• Standing up of additional facilities for moderate cases requiring hospitalisation
• Prohibit mass assemblies
• Self-Isolation: Persons with mild illness (no respiratory distress)
• Recommend that ill persons are given 5-7 days without official sick leave
