In North America, cases are increasing in Canada and parts of Mexico, such as Baja California, while in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago continues to experience jumps in cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Other, smaller islands like the Cayman Islands are also witnessing increases in Covid-19 infections.

Except for Panama, Central America is experiencing s steep decline in Covid-19 infections.

In South America, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia continue to see a steady increase in Covid-19 cases. While Ecuador, Chile and Argentina are reporting a drop in Covid-19 infections.

PAHO is monitoring the spread of the Omicron variant in our region.

Omicron has already been detected in several countries including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, and the United States, although it’s just a matter of time before the variant circulates in more countries.

In the meantime, we must not forget that we are already dealing with the Delta variant, which is highly transmissible.

That’s why it’s important that countries continue to leverage the full package of public health measures that have proven effective against this virus, including hand washing, mask wearing and social distancing. And that people get vaccinated when it’s their turn.

Vaccines remain a critical tool to reduce hospitalizations and deaths and to limit the appearance of new variants. So today I want to offer an update on vaccination efforts in our region.

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