Background:

The social and health impact generated by the COVID-19 pandemic allows us to re-think aspects of epidemiological surveillance and communication in struggle-times.

Objective:

To describe the behavior of the COVID-19 pandemic in the departments and special districts of the Colombian Caribbean region.

Methodology:

This is a documentary and interpretive analysis from secondary sources of National Surveillance “SIVIGILA” and data from local governments.

Results:

Cartagena de Indias is the first territorial area in the Caribbean to present cases COVID-19, followed by Santa Marta and Barranquilla. The highest number of cases was registered in Barranquilla, Atlántico, Cartagena and Córdoba. Likewise, the highest death rate per 100,000 inhabitants was observed in Barranquilla, Atlántico, Córdoba, Santa Marta, Sucre and Cartagena. In the Caribbean, social distancing was implemented, as well as the limitation of mass gatherings and border closure.

Discussion:

To describe the pandemic behavior, it is important that health authorities continue to assume the challenges of detection, systematization, and timely handling of cases. The COVID-19 performance has been similar in the Colombian Caribbean. There is a homogeneity regarding the government regulations compliance and each region adapted different strategies to reduce the incidence of the dicease. It is recommended to strengthen the concordance between the data reported by the Ministry of Health, SIVIGILA, and the territorial entities. Qualified human talent can support this exercise in order to overcome the media performance through the strengthening of governance.