Fellow Dominicans, since our last press briefing on Wednesday, September 16, Dominica has recorded an additional four (4) cases of COVID-19. This takes our total confirmed cases to thirty (30) since the onset of this pandemic.
We are pleased to report, however, that twenty-four (24) of these individuals have fully recovered and were able to go home to their families.
Six (6) remain at the COVID Centre, with the ages ranging from 2 to 55. Five (5) of these individuals remain asymptomatic, while only 1 has displayed mild symptoms.
Most of these cases are imported and were detected before the individuals were able to socialize with the wider public. This is a testament to the validity and reliability of the protocols put in place at the ports of entry for those wishing to come to Dominica.
For our most recent cases, eighty-seven (87) contacts were identified. Only three (3) of those contacts tested positive, meaning that ninety-six percent (96%) tested negative.
We are also happy to report that the reproductive rate of COVID-19 in Dominica is zero, which means that there is no community transmission at this time.
Additionally, our positivity rate is at 0.96%, which is one of the lowest in the world. In simpler terms, out of every one hundred (100) people tested, less than one (1) is positive.
This does not mean, however, that we have to let down our guard. As such, the Ministry of Health will once again conduct community-based screening in order to assess the COVID status at the community level. The details will be made available soon and the Ministry solicits the cooperation of the general public in that effort.
Moving forward, we will continue to assess our protocols and systems. So far, most of the technical issues that have been observed have been resolved and several glitches have been eliminated. Improvements have been made to the process for submitting the health questionnaire. The process is now more user friendly, and responses are being sent and received more promptly.
At our lab, we are now able to conduct close to 100 PCR tests per day, as compared to 25, an obvious increase in our testing capacity. We are also in the process of setting up more PCR equipment to further increase our lab capacity.
With all of these advancements and progress, the Ministry of Health cannot fight COVID-19 alone. We continue to ask the general public to play their part in this collective effort. Ask yourself, “Am I being a responsible citizen?” “What am I doing to protect myself and others from COVID-19?” We urge you to continue to follow the Public Health and Safety Measures such as wearing of masks in public, physical distancing, limiting social gatherings, proper washing of hands, respiratory etiquette and sanitization. We implore the business owners, and especially the bus drivers, to encourage patrons to wear their masks. This is a proven way to not only curb the spread of COVID-19, but other viruses as well.
If you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms, need information on protocols for entry and exit from Dominica or wish to report cases of illegal entry, call the Health Hotline at 448-2156, 448-2153, 448-2151, 611-4325 or toll free at 1-800-219 between 7am and 7pm daily.
For those who have been very cooperative thus far, we thank you for your efforts. Let me also use this opportunity to thank all the health care workers, particularly the frontline staff, for their continued commitment to this fight. Your diligent service is one of the reasons why Dominica’s COVID-19 response is one of the most acclaimed in the world.
Ladies and gentlemen, the battle against COVID-19 is far from over, but if we all do our part and work together, we will keep each other safe.
