Dr. Irvin McIntyre, Minister of Health, Wellness and New Health Investments explained that the ministry has retrofitted additional buildings to cope with the increased number of Covid-19 cases.
Additionally, the authorities have implemented a team of medical and non-medical staff to ensure the effective running of the Covid-19 care unit and the promotion of vaccinations.
According to Dr. McIntyre, “Vaccination has become even more relevant in light of the fact that we received confirmation from CARPHA that we do have the Delta Variant in Dominica.” He expounded that all of the samples sent to CARPHA, then subsequently sent to the University of the West Indies for sequencing, confirmed that it is indeed the Delta Variant.
Importantly, this variant rarely has no cough and fever. Rather, it is accompanied by joint pain, headache, general weakness and pneumonia. Moreover, the death rate is likely to be higher since the Delta Variant quickly settles in the lungs and takes less time to become extreme.
Accordingly, Dr. McIntyre urges the general public to get vaccinated. Based on worldwide statistics, it is seen that the unvaccinated population has a greater risk of dying.
Therefore, as the country combats an even deadlier variant, every citizen has the responsibility to get vaccinated, get tested and to adhere to the Covid-19 safety guidelines.
