Dominica Is COVID-19 Free, but We Must Function As If Everybody Is Infected

Barbara 18th May, 2020

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Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has declared that Dominica is now free of any active coronavirus cases, but “the threat of COVID-19 is not over and until a vaccine is found, we must function as if everybody is infected,” he said. According to him, the entire 16 positive cases in the country have been treated and discharged from the hospital, and there have been no new positive cases in the last six weeks.

Minister for Health, Wellness and New Health Investment, Dr. Irving McIntyre, said all positive cases have been discharged, but there are 31 persons undergoing monitoring in quarantine, and these include the recently returned cruise ship crew. He added that ministry officials continue to carry out random community testing to prevent the silent spread of the viral disease in the community.

According to the health ministry, the statistics are as follows –

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases: 16
Total active cases: 0
Total recovered: 16
Total COVID-19 related deaths: 0
Number of persons tested: 433
Number of negative results: 417
number of contacts identified: 152
Number of contacts cleared: 152
Number of contacts under investigation: 0
Number in GOCD quarantine: 24

Worldwide, there have been 4,798,763 confirmed cases and 1,855,089 recoveries as well as 316,514 resultant deaths.

PM Skerrit however warned that the threats or battle against COVID-19 is not over yet, and that the government will continue to sensitize the people and push for preventative measures among the populace.

“To prevent community transmission, government continues to strengthen our surveillance, contact tracing and isolation systems,” Skerrit stated. “As we gradually reopen, it is imperative that we take all the necessary measures to slow the potential spread of the virus throughout our society; our approach must be measured.”

The prime minister emphasized that the utmost priority of the government at this time is saving lives and protecting livelihoods. He said more businesses will be re-opened in phases while the administration continues to work underground so that more cruise ship workers as well as students studying abroad are returned home to Dominica if they want.

Skerrit said that effective Monday, May 18, “hair salons and barber shops, sulphur spas, manicure and pedicure and massage parlours,” will be allowed to re-open by appointments only while discussions are ongoing to facilitate the re-opening of churches and mosques as well as regional travels.

He said that schools will remain shuttered until the end of the current school term while students continue with online learning, and that environmental health officials will conduct random checks to ensure compliance.

“This is another moment in history,” the prime minister stated. “While this current pandemic is unprecedented in many ways, we are confident that through the grace of God, through our working together, and through your determination and spirit, we will once again, rise.”