The Ministry of Health announced that active COVID-19 cases in Dominica are now 22, and total positive cases are more than 50. This new data was confirmed by national epidemiologist, Dr. Shallaudin Ahmed; Health Minister Dr. Irvin McIntyre; and Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
The government further revealed that the use of face masks may be made compulsory across the island in the next few weeks.
Dr. Ahmed explained that there is no evidence of community transmission of the pandemic at the moment in Dominica, but that there is cluster of cases that are being looked into. He said contacts of infected cases are being traced and swabbed and that health officials are going from place to place to ensure ceasation of transmission.
Dr. McIntyre also revealed that given the total disregard of people to health protocols, the parliament will be passing a bill on the mandatory use of face masks in public for all classes of citizens. He said this has become very necessary because of the upsurge of COVID-19 cases in the country, but noted that the initiative would gulp significant resources and “warrant more attention and focus from the Ministry of Health.”
The health minister also advised the entire populace to discontinue hosting massive festivities and suspend all social gatherings with a view to curtailing the spread of coronavirus in the country. He also blamed illegal entries and exits of people in the country for the increase in cases of coronavirus in Dominica. He said illegal entrants are a risk to themselves and everyone else since they are now aware of their health status and may end up infecting people without knowing it.
PM Skerrit equally made it known that the failure of citizens to adhere to safety and health protocols is responsible for the resurgence of the disease in the country.
“There is an indication that we are letting down our guards and flouting the various protocols in place to protect ourselves, families, and our fellow Dominicans,” PM Skerrit said. “Over the past months, we had great success in arresting the spread and providing treatment to patients. This success was largely due to the efforts of our health personnel as well as you, the citizens who adhered to health and safety protocols. Yet, we acknowledge the challenges in this fight.”
This article is copyright © 2020 DOM767
