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HIV infection rate in the Caribbean sees decline

But COVID-19 risks blowing HIV progress way off course

A recent report by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) revealed that the new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in the Caribbean has decreased by 29 percent since 2010, while AIDS-related deaths have also gone done to 37 percent.

This is a great progress, according to the UNAIDS, since the incidence:prevalence ratio of the region went down to 3.9 percent in 2019 from 6.1 percent in 2010.

“Great strides continue to be made in the Caribbean towards the elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission, with seven countries achieving revalidation,” the 384-page report said.

The report further showed that “the Bahamas and Barbados remain the only countries that have national programmes
providing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) through the public health sector.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines PrEP as a method for people, who do not have HIV but who are at very high risk of getting HIV, to prevent HIV infection by taking a pill every day.

Meanhwhile, nongovernmental organizations are providing PrEP in the Dominican Republic, and it is available in Jamaica and Suriname through the private sector and pilot studies.

UNAIDS Caribbean Director Dr James Guwani, meanwhile expressed his concern over the coronavirus pandemic that has apparently slowed down the timeline for HIV/AIDS countermeasures in the region.

“We were not on track to meet the 2020 targets now; COVID-19 increases the crisis that may blow us off the course. The report urges us to leverage HIV leadership and lessons against this new pandemic threat,” Guwani was quoted as saying by the Jamaican Observer.

The recent UNAIDS report also said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously impacted the AIDS response and could disrupt it more. A 20% disruption could cause an additional 110 000 deaths.”

Challenges ahead

The high levels of migration remains as an ongoing challenge for HIV responses in the Caribbean, said the report.

“Government health systems are also struggling to absorb programmes that are traditionally funded by international donors, including HIV prevention and key population focused initiatives. Innovative financing strategies are needed to
ensure sustained progress,” it added.

UNAIDS suggests that the Caribbean nations must scale-up effective strategies to ensure early presentation for antenatal care and continuity of treatment for pregnant women living with HIV. These should include those in poverty and those who are migrants or survivors of gender-based violence.

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Island Life

American Airlines Resumes Saint Lucia Flights

 

American Airlines has returned to Saint Lucia. 

The airline relaunched its flights from Miami to Saint Lucia on July 9, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The world’s largest airline is operating the once-daily service on Boeing 737-800 aircraft. 

Saint Lucia first reopened its doors to tourists on June 4. 

The destination recently updated its COVID-19 travel protocols, with a requirement that travelers provide proof of negative COVID-19 test within seven days of their arrival in Saint Lucia. 

The flight from Miami International Airport to Saint Lucia’s Hewanorra International Airport takes about three hours and 35 minutes. 

For more, visit Saint Lucia’s COVID page. 

— CJ

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Island Life

Aruba Is Now Open for American Travelers

 

Aruba is now officially open for travelers from the United States. 

The Dutch Caribbean Island officially reopened for U.S. travelers on July 10, following a July 1 reopening for Canadian and European travelers, following an initial relaunch for visitors from neighboring Caribbean countries. 

In light of recent COVID-19 spikes in certain U.S. states, Aruba said it would be requiring travelers residing in 24 U.S. states to upload proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure as part of a required online Embarkation/Disembarkation form (you can find it here). 

You can find the full list of states from which pre-arrival negative test results are required below:

aruba americans open

Travelers who reside in other U.S. states have the option of taking a PCR test within the 72-hour window and uploading it, or taking a PCR test at their own expense upon arrival at the airport. 

Aruba is requiring all visitors to purchase “Aruba Visitors Insurance” as part of their trip, although some hotels like the Renaissance are actually covering these costs in their rates. 

“We recognize this causes an extra step for those wanting to travel, and also know not everyone will be able to have access to this test in their state. These are necessary safeguards designed to keep Aruba safe and free of health risks,” the Aruba Tourism Authority said in a statement. 

So what’s open right now?

Most of Aruba’s leading resorts have reopened their doors, including the aforementioned Renaissance Aruba, the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort, the Boardwalk Boutique Hotel and Divi’s resort portfolio in Aruba, too. 

aruba boardwalk
The Boardwalk Boutique Hotel in Aruba.

The Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort actually never closed, although it has completed a series of major upgrades, both cosmetic and health and safety-related.

And the Aruba Marriott has also reopened in its signature perch on Palm Beach.

“With Aruba being a popular destination for guests from all over the world, the island knew it had to be extremely careful in implementing safeguards so guests coming from areas where COVID-19 hit harder would not pose a risk to the island and our visitors,” said Ewald Biemans, owner and CEO of the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort. “I’m confident in Aruba’s approach to COVID-19 safety and that Bucuti & Tara’s new high-tech, hospital-grade safety protocol will keep our guests safe to enjoy their romantic vacations and our staff and community safe.”

Aruba has not yet announced when it will be opening for South American and Central American visitors. 

“Aruba’s health and safety protocols will be revisited and reevaluated on an ongoing basis,” the ATA said. 

For more info, visit Aruba’s Health page.

The post Aruba Is Now Open for American Travelers appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Island Life

Tell Congress that Puerto Ricans want nationhood, not statehood

… negates Puerto Rico’s right to exist. 
Most Puerto Ricans support statehood: False. Puerto Ricans have … assimilated. Puerto Ricans refer to Puerto Rico as “el País” (the country). Puerto Ricans are a …

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EIN PR news, Island Life

Sandals Reopens More Caribbean Resorts

 

Sandals Resorts International has reopened another three of its Caribbean resorts, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The company has officially reopened its all-inclusive Sandals Emerald Bay resort on Great Exuma in The Bahamas, along with the Sandals Grande St Lucian resort in Saint Lucia. 

That also includes the July 9 relaunch of the Sandals Negril Resort in Jamaica.

sandals resorts caribbean more
Sandals Grande St Lucian.

The two resorts join a number of Sandals resorts that have already reopened, including the Sandals Grande Antigua resort and a pair of resorts in Jamaica: the Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Montego Bay. 

sandals resorts caribbean more
The Sandals Montego Bay, the brand’s flagship, reopened last month.

Sandals has also announced opening dates for several more of its properties in the Caribbean. 

That includes three more resorts in Jamaica: Sandals Ochi, which will open Sept. 3; Sandals South Coast, which will open Oct. 1 and Sandals Royal Plantation, pegged for Oct. 8. 

Saint Lucia’s Sandals Regency La Toc resort is slated to reopen Aug. 31, while the Sandals Halcyon Beach in Saint Lucia will reopen Nov. 1. 

And Sandals’ other resort in The Bahamas, the Sandals Royal Bahamian, is targeting a Nov. 1 reopening date, according to the company’s Web site.

All of the reopenings have come with Sandals’ new “Platinum Protocol of Cleanliness” health and safety program, which covers all aspects of the guest experience, from check-in to room hygiene to interactions.

For more, visit Sandals. 

— cJ

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