Dominica recorded only 14 COVID-19 cases in last one month: National Epidemiologist

National Epidemiologist of Dominica, Dr Shalauddin Ahmed announced on Monday that the country now has only nine active coronavirus cases. He noted that this includes the four new cases that were discovered in recent days.

Dr Shalauddin Ahmed asserted that all of these four cases are imported, who returned to Dominica from the United States of America and the neighbouring island of Guadeloupe.

These individuals tested positive on day five, screening at the quarantine facility.

"They had their valid PCR results prior to their arrival to Dominica, they tested positive during day five screening at our quarantine facility," added Dr Shalauddin Ahmed.

Dr Ahmed noted that these four people have been in the quarantine facility since they arrived in Dominica.

These patients include two family members; one of them is a forty-year-old male, and other is his twelve-year-old daughter who returned from the United States of America.

The other two patients are also related. Dr Ahmed stated that two of these positive people include a 20-year-old and her four-year-old son, who returned from Guadeloupe.

Dr Ahmed also highlighted the process of online screening and addressed the common difficulties being faced by people.

National Epidemiologist stated that all these patients are currently asymptomatic. He continued that since last month a total of 14 cases were discovered and all of these were only imported cases.

He noted that the requirement is to submit a negative PCR result which taken through swabbed within 72-hours prior to arrival. He emphasised that only the PCR and NAA test result would be accepted.

"Rapid antigen, antibody, or serology test will not be accepted, only PCR and NAA tests are accepted," stated Shlauddin Ahmed.

No coronavirus related deaths have been recorded in Dominica so far and the health officials continue their community testing drives to ensure the safety of people living in different health districts of the country.