National epidemiologist Dr. Shallaudin Ahmed has revealed that Dominica currently has five new COVID-19 cases and 13 active cases. He added that the country has recorded 85 total cases and that 72 of these have been treated and discharged after being cured of the disease. Dominica has not recorded any coronavirus-related deaths yet.
Dr. Ahmed said two of the new cases are foreign nationals and three are Dominican citizens. He said all the infected cases are asymptomatic, and one was detected after a 5-day isolation period following his entry into the country via the airport. One case was detected via pre-travel screening procedures, he explained.
The foremost epidemiologist revealed that contact-tracing had commenced for the infected cases and that these will be tested for COVID-19 to determine their health statuses. According to Ahmed, many infected COVID-19 patients do not develop any symptoms and they remain contagious for up to 10 days after initial exposure. He also warned people who are experiencing flu-like symptoms to see their doctors for evaluation.
“It is important to note that a person with COVID-19 may take 2 to 14 days to develop symptoms and could remain contagious for up to 10 days,” he noted. “Remember precautionary measures for COVID and flu are the same.”
The medical expert advised all Dominicans to continue to wash their hands with soap, observe physical distancing, wear face masks, and avoid shaking of hands with people with a view to preventing the spread and contagion of the disease.
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