Shaluddin Ahmed informed the nation that there were three additional imported cases of COVID-19 on island.

The cases were identified through Day 5 testing and the individuals who are asymptomatic have been in quarantine since their arrival on island.

Presently, there are 7 active cases, 102 recoveries and 0 deaths. 8114 PCR tests have been done, with a positivity rate of 1.3%. Ahmed mentioned that this rate is among the lowest in the region.

According to Ahmed, it has been almost three months since Dominica has not had a local case of COVID-19.”The last local case was detected in mid November of 2020. Since then all positive cases were among the incoming travellers”.

Ahmed stressed that persons must continue following COVID-19 protocols.

“Now, I take this opportunity to remind us again, that there is no alternative to the prevention measures if we want to keep our country open and not under lockdown. Hence we must continue to strive and adopt these prevention measures: wearing your face mask while in public…; maintaining 6ft distance…; maintaining proper respiratory etiquette, that is to say [when]sneezing cover your mouth with a tissue, or sneeze in your elbow; avoid handshaking and touching any surfaces outside of your home; avoid public gatherings as much as possible…; frequent hand washing with the use of an alcohol based hand sanitizer is also important.”

According to Ahmed the recent surge of COVID-19 in other countries is as a result of mass gatherings.