Addressing the Challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic for the Region of the Americas Highlights of PAHO Technical Cooperation – 17 May 2022

(U.S. Government funds through the American Rescue Plan Act 2021. Resources provided through the U.S. Department of State Voluntary Account)

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are rising again in far too many places, requiring countries to strengthen measures to combat the virus, including surveillance and preparedness. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) continues to monitor the evolution of the virus and is helping countries in the Region of the Americas to maintain adequate testing capacity. Updates for the week ending April 28, 2022 are as follows:

• The Region of the Americas reported more than 616,000 new cases, a 12.7% increase over the previous week, and more than 4,200 deaths, a slight drop of less than 1%.
• The Caribbean reported a 15.4% increase in new infections, with cases rising in 24 of the 34 countries and territories.
• Cases have continued to rise in Central America for the same period by 53.4%, with three out of seven countries reporting increases, even as deaths continued to decline.
• In South America there was an overall decrease of 8% in new infections, although seven of the ten countries reported increases in cases.
• Eleven countries and territories across the Region reported an increase in hospitalizations and increases in admissions to intensive care units.