Dominica: PM Roosevelt Skerrit thanks China for 30,000 rapid antigen testing kits

Dominica: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit appreciated and thanked the Government of China for donating 30,000 rapid antigen tests kits to Dominica in order to assist the island country in defeating the contagious coronavirus.

The gift of COVID-19 tests kits was handed over by Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Dominica – Mr Luo Songtao to PM Skerrit along with Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Business and Diaspora Relations – Dr Kenneth Darroux and Minister for Health, Wellness and New Health Investment – Dr Irving Mc Intyre.

PM Skerrit, in his Facebook post, cited, “On behalf of the people of Dominica, I convey my sincere gratitude to the Government and people of China for this gift. We thank the Chinese Government for this latest gesture of friendship and solidarity.”

Following the above statement, PM Skerrit noted that this supply of COVID-19 tests kits would boost the efforts of the Dominican Government and help them to control the spread of coronavirus.

This was not the first time when the Chinese Government came forward to assist the island country; it had earlier donated 10, 000 PCR test kits and 20, 000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine, as well ventilators, surgical masks, other protective gear and medical supplies.

Besides this, Dr Keevian Burnette – the national coordinator, national COVID-19 vaccination unit, cited that the COVID-19 vaccination drive of the Government is putting all efforts in providing vaccines to every citizen, free of cost which is continuously helping the nation to achieve its target of herd immunity.

He noted that till 8 September 2021, around 22,940 individuals are partially vaccinated with taking their first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine, while over 20,464 citizens are fully inoculated with taking the required amount of doses. The island has also commenced vaccination of children between 12 -17 years age group with Pzifer vaccine.

He emphasized that vaccination is the only method to secure the population from the deadliest COVID-19 virus and encouraged the residents to take their jabs of the vaccine, follow a balanced diet and abide by the COVID-19 protocols so that the nation can defeat the pandemic.