In February, The UWI triggered its quick response COVID-19 Task Force to assist the Caribbean in its response to the virus outbreak, mindful that the region's best defence is a coordinated and collaborative approach.
Just as four years ago when the Zika virus required a quick action response, UWI’s Task Force is drawn from all five campuses and comprise multi-discipline specialists, scientists, researchers, and public health professionals with combined expertise in virology, epidemiology, laboratory diagnostics, critical care, respiratory medicine, veterinary medicine, tourism, trade, international relations, and communication. Stepping up too is our incoming quadrant of nurses pursuing the Post Registration Diploma in Health Visiting.
The Task Force is committed to providing clear and accurate information, sharing its research across The UWI campuses and the region.
Task Force Chairman, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies Professor Clive Landis, believes “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”.
Amid a wave of misinformation and speculation, its website www.uwi.edu/covid19 provides a trusted and helpful repository of shared resources from a range of partner agencies as well as regular updates, all relevant to the Caribbean’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Task Force experts are available to provide commentary or media interviews about COVID-19. Requests should be sent to universitymktgcomms@sta.uwi.edu.
Broadcast & Public Outreach
Ms Janet Caroo
Cardiovascular Research
Professor Clive Landis (Chairman)
Clinical Counselling & Psychology
Professor Donna-Maria Maynard
Clinical Psychology
Dr Katija Khan
Continuing Education & Public Outreach
Dr Veronica Simon
Counselling/Child Development/Social Development
Mrs Ceceile Minott
Ethics
Dr Anna K. Perkins
Emergency Medicine
Dr Harold Watson
Gender Affairs
Dr Gabrielle Hosein
Health Research
Professor Julie Meeks
Hotel & Tourism Management
Dr Michelle McLeod
International Relations & Economics
Dr Don Marshall
Marketing & Communications
Dr Rhonda Jaipaul-O'Garro
Mental Health/Public Health
Professor Wendel Abel
Molecular Genetics and Virology
Professor Christine Carrington
Neurosurgery and Health Leadership
Dr Carl A. R. Bruce
Pulmonology
Professor Terence Seemungal
Veterinary Virology
Professor Christopher Oura
Virology
Dr Joshua Anzinger
Youth Advocacy
Mr Caleb Gardiner
