Epidemiological Alert Recurrent outbreaks of COVID-19. 15 June 2022

Since April 2020, the Pan-American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) has warned of the possibility that countries could face recurrent outbreaks of COVID-19 of different magnitude based on a series of factors, including the proportion of the susceptible population. In recent weeks, there has been an increase in new outpatient cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in some countries/territories in the Region of the Americas, which, along with the increase in hospitalizations due to other causes, could impact the demand for health services. PAHO/WHO urges Member States to strengthen surveillance for respiratory diseases of viral etiology, to update the preparedness and response plans of the healthcare system across all levels in order to respond to a possible increase in outpatient cases, hospitalizations, and/or deaths, as well as to establish strategies for increasing the proportion of the vaccinated, mainly among vulnerable and high-risk populations.