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In the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean, the impact on health services may be
significant with the possibility that health services may become overwhelmed, including a high demand for specialized
hospital services such as intensive care.
First case in Latin America
The Ministry of Health of Brazil has confirmed that the patient with COVID-19 infection had recently returned from
Italy. Brazilian authorities are taking measures to prevent further spread of the disease including a careful investigation
of all relevant information and following up with anyone who may have come in contact with the infected patient.
The first imported case of COVID-19 in the Region of the Americas was identified on 21 January in the United States,
and a few days later, on 25 January, Canada reported its first confirmed case. Since then, there have been 25 confirmed
cases of COVID-19 in North America.
What people can do
Meanwhile, there are simple precautions that everyone can take to prevent respiratory illness, including COVID-19:
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizing gel.
• When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with your flexed elbow or with a tissue; dispose of the
tissue immediately and wash your hands.
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has coughing and fever.
