The current rise of COVID-19 cases in Dominica is affecting the sports ministry in the country. Dominica Football Association (DFA) President, Glen Etienne, said the rise of the pandemic has created serious challenges for sports activities in the nation. He said this is an unprecedented time and everyone is affected by the pandemic.
The Dominica Football Association is facing unprecedented times in the management of football on island. The Covid-19 pandemic has created many challenges that we have dealt with and we continue to deal with as an association.
Glen Etienne, President of the Dominica Football Association (DFA)
The DFA president said active protocols have been implemented to protect players and sporting officials against the spread of the coronavirus. He said the health and safety of players come first, and that this was why the association cancelled the 2021 league season following reports of COVID-19 infection among some players.
Etienne added that the Under-17 girls’ team was not able to take part in the CONCACAF qualifiers because some delegation members came down with the pandemic. He noted that the players and officials were disappointed that they could not take part in the competition due to the outbreak, but that withdrawal from the games was the best option to pursue.
According to the top sport’s official, Dominica is participating in the CONCACAF Under-20 qualifiers currently ongoing in the Dominican Republic. He revealed that all players and management teams are vaccinated against COVID-19. He said sporting affiliates are not mandated to get vaccinated, but that it would be advisable for everyone to get the shot out of personal volition.
The Ministry of Health disclosed that there are 373 active cases of the pandemic in the country, and that the current infection rate is 40 cases daily.
So most of the cases are coming from the age group of 18 to 65 years. We are keeping an eye on the group that we have recently introduced to vaccinations, that is, twelve to seventeen years. So we will keep watching in the coming weeks. For the betterment of Dominica, we need you to get vaxed.
Dr. Shalauddin Ahmed, National Epidemiologist
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