4 more tests positive and 55 recovered of COVID-19 in Dominica

National Epidemiologist of Dominica, Dr Shalauddin Ahmed stated that there are 17 active COVID-19 cases in the country and 55 people have successfully recovered from this highly contagious virus.

Dr Ahmed stated that four new patients had been discovered and two of those are linked to a cluster at originating from All Saints University, Roseau.

"The third case was identified while following rapid testing at the Douglas Charles during entry and the fourth case is a foreign national identified via pre-travel screening," added Dr Ahmed.

He added that all these recently confirmed four cases are between the ages of 23-year-old and 32-year-old, and two of these cases are male, and two are females.

Dr Ahmed stated that two patients earlier showed mild-flu like symptoms; however, now all four patients are asymptomatic. He stated that contact tracing is undergoing and 74 contacts have tested negative.

The national epidemiologist stated that mass screening had been initiated at the All Saints University- where the recent cluster cases were identified. He stated 142 rapid antibody tests are completed.

Furthermore, he stated that there are some features that make coronavirus different and similar to a flu virus. He added that it is hard to distinguish COVID-19 from flu based on signs and symptoms, especially during the start of the infection. He noted that both these viral diseases might turn into severe conditions and require hospitalisation.

"Without definitive laboratory diagnosis, it is not possible to differentiate one from the other," added Dr Ahmed.