Puerto Rico is facing COVID-19 as it continues to grapple with the aftermath of two devastating hurricanes in 2017 and a series of powerful earthquakes earlier this year.

With an already strained health care system, Puerto Rico has been dealt an extraordinary challenge. As of July 1, at least 7,465 people had been infected with COVID-19, but many hospitals were ill-prepared to manage the pandemic. In some emergency rooms, staff were only provided one mask per week.

Doctors Without Borders is on the ground in Puerto Rico for the first time ever—part of our COVID-19 response here in the United States. Our teams have distributed more than 20,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, 4,000 masks, and 14,500 face shields, and led 60 hours of training in infection prevention and control measures for 21 health facilities.

Last month, we formed a mobile medical team to provide home-based primary care and consultations at pop-up clinics serving vulnerable people in remote areas across the island.

In addition to supporting health facilities, our teams have partnered with local community groups to assist those experiencing homelessness, the elderly, people with substance abuse disorders, and families affected by the recent earthquakes. Together, we've distributed 3,700 hygiene kits and conducted health promotion campaigns focused on preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Read the latest on our COVID-19 response in Puerto Rico.