Dominica vaccinates 45% of adult population: National Epidemiologist

Dominica: Dominica National Epidemiologist Dr Shalauddin Ahmed, during the Ministry of Health Press Briefing on 21st July 2021., notified some crucial health status of the country.

In his address, he said that Dominica has a total of 13 active cases at present, and a total of 196 people recovered from this novel coronavirus and zero deaths reported so far on Island.

He noted that the Health Ministry is continually tracking the cases of coronavirus, so the number of contacts investigated is 318, and the number of GOCO quarantine is 47.

In addition, Dr Shalauddin Ahmed pointed that those tested positive cases are in the St James Isolation unit, which is running under the Government of Dominica.

The conference was attended by the Minister of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment Dr Irving McIntyre, permanent secretary in Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment, officer in charge in the office of Chief Medical Officer Dr Laura Esprit and National Epidemiologist Dr Shalauddin Ahmed.

Rapid vaccination in Dominica :

According to Health Ministry, 19550 has fully vaccinated in Dominica till 21st July, and 20784 people have taken the only first dose of coronavirus vaccine so far.

With this, Dr Ahmad informed added that Dominica has 1% of positivity rate.

"Total 45% adult and 27 % of the total population are fully vaccinated in Dominica. " He said.

While the press conference, he also made concerns about over-vaccination rates in the Marigot district; he said only 23 % of the population of this district have fully vaccinated.

National Epidomoligist also urged people to follow all health protocols and appeal to people to vaccinate themselves.

Cabinet has taken the decision to make minor changes in the ongoing COVID-19 protocols.

The changes would come into effect from 23 July 2021. As the execution of these new changes Government of Dominica told that health questionnaire should be submitted prior to travelling in which the travellers of 2 years or more. PCR- test results should be uploaded prior to travelling for 2years or more age group.

As per the Minister of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment, Dr Irving McIntyre, the primary contact would be transferred to government-operated quarantine facilities. No primary contact would be allowed to be quarantined at a personal residence.

Dr Irving McIntyre noted that at the end of the month, Dominica would be getting more AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines. In the coming months, Dominica would also receive more vaccines.

The Officer in charge in the office of Chief Medical Officer Dr Laura Esprit shared six key takeaways.

Also, she noted that the ministry is confident that based on the situation to date and the test results received thus far that the situation was handled swiftly and that every necessary precaution is being taken to contain any further escalation.

Six key takeaways :

1) COVID is still very relevant despite Dominica's success thus far.

2)Domino effect of complacency impacts not just you as an individual but all of us as a group as a community as a country.

3) The public health and social measures of washing hands cough etiquette use of physical mask distancing adhering to quarantine among others are essential pillars of confronting infectious diseases, and they have proven to work; this current situation serves as a reminder to continue to observe these protocols.

4) the Ministry of Health assures you that whenever a protocol is put in place, or you are required to follow certain guidelines, including self-quarantine is not meant as punishment or retaliation or for all own amusement but rather for your own health and safety and that of the people closest to you.

5 )Persons may not be forthcoming in providing relevant information for various reasons, but an appeal is being made for the public to recognize that contact tracing is serious and cannot be done in the absence of withholding information, whether intentionally or unintentionally, puts all of us at risk and affects the timeliness of containing the disease, and this extends to reporting potential contacts of positive persons or even those who may have gained entry into Dominica through illegal means, so all response really depends on your honesty.

6)certainly, this is no excuse not to be vaccinated if you understand how most vaccines work, some do not prevent illnesses but certainly decreases transmission severity and death by all reports the hospitalized family at the coving unit is doing well with no complications; let this experience serve as a motivation to those who have not yet been vaccinated to do so soonest vaccination continues to be available at all seven health districts through old primary health care in Dominica on this note, I wish to express appreciation to all essential workers who would have assisted in one way or another to contain the situation in grant for our gratitude is also extended to the people of grant for who for the most part, have been especially cooperative as we continue in our fight against this pandemic it is therefore critical that we remain vigilant and work collaboratively to keep Dominica ahead of the curve.

Ministry of Health also appeals to people to wear the mask and use sanitiser until Dominica doesn't win this battle.

It is to note that Dominica is one of the rare Caribbean countries with no deaths reported due to coronavirus.