Lifestyle The Barbados plan: Stages of implementation Barbados Today17/03/2020024 views 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