Dominica: 1210 people recovers from COVID-19

The Ministry of Health Wellness and New Health Investment of Dominica released new COVID-19 related statistics on Thursday. As per the new report, 72 people tested positive as of August 31, 2021.

The Ministry of Health Wellness and New Health Investment noted that there are 618 active cases of the virus island-wide. The cases also include 11 people who tested positive in PCR testing and 607 individuals who tested COVID positive in Antigen testing.

As per officials, 1210 people have successfully recovered, and the country also recorded four coronavirus related deaths in August.

To identify the current stage of coronavirus in Dominica, health departments are vigorously conducting testing across the country. Since the identification of the first case in 2020, over 50570 people were tested, while only 1932 tested positive for the contagious virus. In some instances, testing teams visit the patients personally to take their samples because people with symptoms are not allowed to visit the testing sites. Such individuals are asked to call on the COVID-19 hotlines numbers (767) 448-2151, (767) 448-2153, (767) 448-2156, (767) 611-4325.

As the virus spreads, the vaccination drives have been fastened. The authorities noted that 22,559 people had received their first dose of the vaccine, while 20278 are now fully immunized against the COVID-19.

Minister of Health Dr Irving McIntyre noted that the health department is taking new approaches to get a wider population vaccinated. Under the new approaches, the vaccine could be given at workplaces if the employers ask the officials to do so. Dr McIntyre said the aim is to take the vaccine to the people, so they do not have to face any issues.

Currently, the government of Dominica is using Astrazeneca and Sinopharm vaccines; however, the additional consignment of 46,500 doses of Pfizer vaccine are also due to reach from Miami, United States. The Pfizer vaccine will be mainly used to vaccinate all 12 to 17-year-olds after consent from their parents.