It is right that The UWI should deploy its full expertise as a public academy to help Caribbean communities cope at this instance of the COVID-19 epidemic. Armed with good information and strong partnerships, we will get through this viral outbreak as we did for 'swine flu', Chikungunya and Zika before it.
Prof. Clive Landis
Chairman
The UWI COVID-19 Task Force
Context
The University of the West Indies (UWI) has developed systems to help the Caribbean region cope with environmental and health emergencies through close collaboration with the relevant regional agencies responsible for disaster responsiveness and public health. The guiding philosophy is that The UWI works with the regional bodies designated to deal with emergencies and not against them.
The UWI COVID-19 Task Force aims to leverage the University's knowledge and experts to assist the Caribbean in its readiness and response to the virus outbreak, mindful that the region's best defense is a coordinated and collaborative approach.
The Task Force's priority areas include:
- The UWI’s internal readiness
- Informing the Caribbean’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak
The Task Force is committed to provide clear and accurate information on the pandemic for public and private stakeholders. The UWI will also share its research on COVID-19 with national and regional agencies managing the COVID-19 pandemic in the Caribbean.
UWI Ready
The UWI COVID-19 Management Plan provides guidance to the leadership of UWI Campuses and Centre in preparing for, and responding to the anticipated COVID-19 epidemic.
The UWI COVID-19 Management Plan is intended to be operationalized in conjunction with:
- Campus and Centre COVID-19 Management Teams; and
- The Emergency Operational Plan of each Campus; and
- Health literacy campaigns targeted at staff and students; and
- Guidance provided by national health ministries and disaster & emergency management agencies.
Campus Management Teams
The Campus and Regional Headquarters (Centre) Centre COVID-19 Management Teams help co-ordinate the UWI-READY response.
Cave Hill Campus
https://cavehill.uwi.edu/covid19/
Mona Campus
https://www.mona.uwi.edu/covid19/
St Augustine Campus
The Open Campus
