On November 2^nd 2021, National Epidemiologist, Dr. Shalauddin Ahmed, provided a Covid-19 status update for the Commonwealth of Dominica. As of the 1^st day of November, 2021, there is a total of 349 active cases.

Of that same date, there were 80 new cases of which 74 are antigen positive and 6 are PCR positive. The infected persons are within the age ranges of 18 to 65. Furthermore, 71% are mild, 29% are moderate and there are no reported severe cases.

Unfortunately, as per the records, there are currently 32 Covid-associated deaths inclusive of 14 males and 18 females, all within the age range of 40 to 107 years of age. There is a median age range of 80. To note, 97% of the deceased had comorbid conditions, that is, underlying medical conditions. Moreover, 29 out of the 32 Covid-associated deaths were unvaccinated, that is, a total of 90%. Accordingly, there is a clear correlation between the vaccination status and Covid-associated deaths.

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Nonetheless, with the ongoing vaccination drive by the Ministry of Health, Wellness & New Health Investment, it is noteworthy that 52.7% of the target population (53,281) took at least one dose of the vaccine while 47.8% of the target population are now fully vaccinated.

Moreover, with respect to the daily trend of cases, from July 28^th 2021 to November 1^st 2021, Dr. Ahmed noted, “Over the past week, on average, there are 35 cases per day as opposed to 44 cases per day in the previous week.” Therefore, there is a decline in the daily trend of cases over the last week. He commends the medical team for their undying efforts in the fight against Covid-19 and is hopeful that the cases will continue to decline.

Nevertheless, Dr. Ahmed expressed, “We still have much more to be done in terms of reaching herd immunity and increasing the percentage of vaccination in Dominica.” As per the statistics, Barbados, St. Kitts & Nevis and Antigua & Barbuda are ahead of Dominica with respect to the vaccination status of the population.  Accordingly, Ahmed encourages Dominicans to continue to follow the protocols put in place by the authorities but most importantly, to get vaccinated to safeguard their lives and that of others.