Dominica confirms 38 additional COVID infections

Rosseau, Dominica: The National Epideomoligist Dr Salahuddin Ahmed provided an update on the current COVID-19 situation during a media conference on Friday, noting that 38 additional cases were reported on December 2, 2021.

With the arrival of these new infections, the active COVID-19 toll of Dominica has risen to 396. Out of these new COVID-19 patients, 56 percent are male, and 44 percent are female.

Out of the new cases, 34 individuals tested positive by Rapid Antigen Test, and four individuals tested positive for the deadliest mutant by RT-PCR testing.

Till December 2, 2021, there are a total of 5,613 patients who recovered from the contagious COVID-19 virus. The island has recorded a total of 40 COVID-19 related deaths so far.

Dr Ahmed further shared the data related to the COVID-19 vaccination, according to which, to date, 52 percent of Dominica’s target population is vaccinated by recei9ving atleast one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, whereas around 50.4 percent of its targeted population has received their required number of the vaccine jabs and are now fully inoculated against the deadly virus.

Dominican Health Ministry holds the target to vaccinate 53,281 citizens fully.

As per the data shared by Dr Ahmed, the majority of the people who tested positive for COVID on December 2, 2021, belonged to the age group of 18-59 years, followed by the individuals under the age of 18 and then residents above the age of 60.

The severity of active cases is such that – 44 % are moderate, 51 % are mild, and 5 % are severe COVID-19 cases.

Apart from this, Dr Keevian Burnette (vaccination unit) provided more in-depth information regarding the COVID-19 mutants and several vaccinations that are accessible to the general public with the motive to bust myths related to the COVID inoculation.

Dr Burnette further highlighted the issue of vaccine hesitancy among the Dominicans, encouraging them to get themselves immunised while making them aware by showing facts.

Besides this, Dr Ahmed, while addressing the severity of the new COVID variant – ‘Omicron’, urged the Dominicans to strictly abide by the COVID-19 health protocols for the safety of themselves and their loved ones.