Dominica: 42 people from the LOT event in Pottersville test COVID positive

Roseau, Dominica: National Epidemiologist of Dominica Dr Shalauddin Ahmed on Wednesday said the country has 45 active cases of COVID-19. He said 209 people have already recovered from the virus since 2020. Dr Ahmed, during a press briefing on Wednesday, said there had been no COVID-19 related deaths recorded in the island country. He said among the 45 active cases, 42 are locally transmitted, while the remaining three are imported. The National Epidemiologist said the current patients are between 7-year-old to 64-year-old. While 62% of the total active patients are females and 38% are males. He said a large proposition of these cases are associated with the LOT event in Pottersville on 25th July. "The majority of these cases are asymptomatic; however, we are experiencing a lot more symptomatic cases this time than in the previous waves," said Dr Ahmed. Epidemiologist said the patients are experiencing mild symptoms, including fever, mild cough, headache, body aches, loss of taste. He said some patients are also experiencing diarrhoea. He noted that all the symptomatic cases are unvaccinated, and over 120 contacts have been traced and tested using the RT-PCR method. As per data, 40 of these individuals tested positive, and 19 results are still pending. Dr Shalauddin Ahmed said all the positive patients are isolated at the St James Isolation Unit. "We have so far completed over 450 antigen tests, of these 40 PCR contacts that are positive," said Dr Ahmed. Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Irving McIntyre said that COVID-19 always presents fluctuations ultimately leading to waves, and in some cases, second, third, fourth and fifth waves have been recorded regionally and internationally. He said the bad COVID-19 situations are more likely to happen when the general public lowers its guard and fails to comply with public social health measures. Health Minister said that illegal entry into the country is also contributing to Dominica's current coronavirus wave. "We have been through difficult times; we have been challenged again; it is not the time to lose hope or panic, but we must fight this common challenge," said Dr McIntyre. The government of Dominica initially imposed a lockdown for 7-days, and the health minister said to curb infections, certain limitations are necessary. All non-essential businesses are to remain closed during the period of lockdown, while an additional evening and weekend lockdown is also in place.

Dominica: 42 people from the LOT event in Pottersville test COVID positive

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