COVID wave in Dominica: 101 new cases reported

Roseau, Dominica: During the recent update briefing of the COVID-19 by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr Shalauddin Ahmed, National Epidemiologist, noted on February 3, 2022, 101 new cases of the COVID-19 virus were reported. With these additional figures of COVID infections, the active toll of the cases rised to 1005.

Dr Ahmed informed that to date, at least 51 Dominicans scummed to the deadliest COVID-19 virus, while a total of 8666 recoveries have been recorded by the healthcare facilities of the island country.

He noted that the daily statistics had witnessed a decrease as compared to January 31, 2022.

In terms of inoculation, about 54.8% of the total Dominican eligible population has received their required number of COVID vaccine doses and are now fully vaccinated.

Dr Ahmed highlighted the COVID fatality rate is higher among the individuals who are above 70 years of age with 6.08%, followed by the age group of 60-69 years – 0.85%, between 50-59 years – 0.61% and then 40-49 years of age group – 0.18%.

As per the statistics shown by Dr Ahmed, the island has witnessed a 92% hike in the daily COVID-19 infection rate as compared to the time prior to December 26, 2021. Around 95% of the individuals who lost their lives to coronavirus in Dominica were among the unvaccinated population.

The circulating variant in Dominica is a different one than the Delta in terms of transmissibility and clinical presentations. This wave is highly transmissible, WHICH is proven by the ongoing daily COVID-19 statistics data.

Meanwhile, Dr Keevian Burnette from the COVID-19 vaccination unit provided an inoculation uptick from the month of August to December 2021, during which around 19,170 individuals (including children) were vaccinated. Booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccines are also accessible to the eligible population of 18 years and above.

At present, AstraZeneca, Sinopharm and the Pzifer vaccines are currently being administered in Dominica at the COVID vaccination sites. Dr Burnette underscored the time interval required to take the second jab of the specific vaccine; for AstraZeneca, there must be an interval of at least eight weeks between the intake of 2 doses, three weeks time difference between two doses of the Sinopharm and Pzifer vaccine.