Diamond Jubilee Gala

Caribbean Consulates

Anguilla 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200

Antigua & Barbuda 305 East 47th Street, Suite 6A New York, N.Y. 10020 Tel: 212-541-4117

The Bahamas 231 East 46th Street New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-421-6420

Barbados 820 Second Avenue, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-551-4325

Belize 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1911 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-593-0999

Dominica 685 Third Avenue, 11th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-949-0853

Dominican Republic 1500 Broadway, Suite 410 New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-599-8478

Grenada 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1101 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-599-0301

Guyana 308 West 38th Street New York, N.Y. 10018 Tel: 212-947-5119

Haiti 815 Second Avenue,6th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-697-9767

Jamaica 767 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-935-9000

Martinique 444 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-838-6887

Montserrat 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200

Panama 1212 Avenue of the Americas, 20th Floor New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-840-2450

St. Kitts & Nevis 414 East 75th Street, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10021 Tel: 212-535-5521

St. Lucia 630 Third Avenue, 7th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-697-9360

St. Maarten 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1807 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 800-786-2278

St. Vincent & The Grenadines 801 Second Avenue, 4th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-687-4981

Trinidad & Tobago 125 Maiden Lane, 4th Floor New York, N.Y. 10038 Tel: 212-682-7272

As COVID-19 Cases Rise in the Americas, Countries also Face the Threat of Seasonal flu, Hurricanes, PAHO Director Says

Washington D.C. June 1, 2022 (PAHO): As countries of the Americas experience an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases for the sixth week running, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Carissa F. Etienne, has called for additional vigilance as influenza and hurricane seasons begin. Over the past week, countries in the region have reported a 10.4% jump in cases of COVID-19, and a 14% increase in deaths, boding a “double threat of a potential influenza surge alongside a rise in COVID-19 cases, the Director said. Influenza cases have been exceptionally low since COVID-19 began over two years ago, but things have started to change, the Director said during a media briefing today. “The flu virus is circulating again and not just during traditional flu season,” she added. Mexico and Peru have seen higher numbers of influenza cases than expected and Argentina, Chile and Uruguay have reported more hospitalizations than usual due to influenza. Cases of respiratory virus in Chile, Paraguay, Brazil, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic have also spiked among young children. While most countries have integrated COVID-19 surveillance with efforts to track the influenza virus, Dr. Etienne highlighted that they must build on that capacity “to quickly identify the different respiratory viruses circulating in the Americas.” The PAHO Director also urged people to ensure they are up to date with the flu vaccine as this reflects the strains circu-

PAHO Director Dr Etienne Credit: PAHO

lating now and can provide better protection to all at risk. Influenza vaccination campaigns are important every year but even more so this year “as we are facing multiple risks at the same time,” she said. Dr. Etienne also highlighted that while the upcoming influenza season will primarily impact those countries in the southern hemisphere, countries in Central America and the Caribbean must prepare for hurricane season. “It only takes one massive storm to destroy people’s livelihoods, cripple our health systems and lead to countless lives lost,” the PAHO Director said. And with climate change leading to a rise in the frequency and impact of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and floods, “we must prepare early so we are not caught off guard.” While many countries already have national plans for extreme weather events, Dr. Etienne urged leaders to ensure these are up to date. “Countries should have a detailed understanding of their risk areas, and the

likely populations and health facilities which could be affected,” she said. PAHO will continue to support countries to assess risks and address vulnerabilities ahead of time. PAHO’s SMART hospitals program, which focuses on the renovation of health centers in areas vulnerable to natural disasters has also been applied across the region, helping countries withstand volcanic eruptions, hurricanes and the pandemic. “Our wellbeing and that of our societies depend on the resilience of our health systems,” the PAHO Director said. “This is an important lesson from the COVID19 that we cannot ignore,” and one which will be addressed by Heads of State during the upcoming Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles on June 6. The region’s health systems, which are still recovering from the disruptions brought by the pandemic, are not only facing a surge in COVID-19 cases, but are being further tested by the spike in current public health events, including Monkeypox, viral hepatitis and other respiratory infections, said Dr. Etienne. Urgent investment in health is therefore “essential to secure everything that we hope for the future of our region: resilience and security, economic prosperity, and the wellbeing of our people,” she added. Turning to the COVID-19 situation in the region, the Director reported that all subregions except the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean Islands have seen increases in both cases and deaths – with COVID-19 cases in South America rising by 43.1% and deaths by 21.3% in Central America.l Consulate General of Jamaica, NY Announces the Official Jamaica 60 Diamond Jubilee Gala

Consul General Alsion Wilson is pleased to announce the staging of the Official Jamaica 60 Diamond Jubilee Gala for Saturday August 20, 2022. The event, returning after a five-year absence from New York, will form part of the official slate of activities for the 60th Anniversary celebration of Jamaica’s Independence, which is being observed under the theme Re-igniting a Nation for Greatness. “I am pleased that a team from across our diaspora community has come together to ensure that we will have a celebration that is worthy of Jamaica’s Diamond Jubilee of Independence. We are committed to ensuring that members of our community will feel the pride of being Jamaican as we celebrate together. I thank all the members of the team that have come together to make this a reality.” Consul General Alsion Wilson. The Gala is being presented in partnership with Jamaica Independence Celebration Foundation Inc (JICFI) with net proceeds going towards various charities in Jamaica. Chairperson of JICFI, Mrs. Paulette Willoughby states, “I am delighted that the Gala is coming back in this the 60th year of Independence. We have a longstanding tradition of amazing Galas in the City, and this year is expected to be the best one yet.” The planning team for this year’s gala, is made up of members of the community with experience in putting on events. They are Andrea Bullens, Valerie Gray, Sephron Mair, Marsha Wallace, Clive

Hon Wilson. Photo courtesy: Jamaica Consulate of NY

Williams and Paulette Willoughby. Additionally, members of the consulate’s staff represented on the committee are Christopher Benjamin, Keera ClarkeMills, Lottalee Paisley Gregory Stewart and Corey Whyte. Details on the venue and ticket prices will be announced in the coming days.l