Abstract
Alliances between the government and academic communities can be a key component of the public health response to an emergency such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The Governor of Puerto Rico designated the Puerto Rico Medical Task Force (MTF) COVID-19 to provide direct guidance and evaluation of the government response to the epidemic in Puerto Rico. Several work groups were formed within the MTF to create protocols and provide evidence-based recommendations on different public health aspects. The collaboration between the academia and the government enhanced the Puerto Rican public health response and contributed to the reduction seen in the contagion curve. Healthcare services and hospitals have not reached their maximum patient care capacity and the death toll has been controlled. Incorporating a national MTF with members of the academia into the government structure was beneficial during the COVID-19 response in Puerto Rico. A similar strategy could serve as a model for other states or territories and countries in similar scenarios.
Highlights
Puerto Rico faced the difficult task of preparing again for another natural disaster
The members of the Puerto Rico Medical Task Force (MTF) COVID-19 were chosen from the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), Medical Sciences Campus (MSC) faculty to represent the different perspectives needed to meet its objectives
We evaluated the ability to rapidly test for the infection, the coverage of tracking and isolating cases and their contacts, and the medical capacity to manage the surge in COVID-19 cases
Summary
Puerto Rico faced the difficult task of preparing again for another natural disaster. After the catastrophic 2017 hurricane season left Puerto Rico without its essential services infrastructure, the island had a significant earthquake sequence that started in December 2019. These adversities increased the healthcare disparities among vulnerable populations in many parts of the island [1,2,3]. The first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported in Puerto Rico on 13 March. 2020, and two days later, a shelter-in-place order for Puerto Rico was established at a time when the.
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