FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Roseau, Dominica – (April 4, 2020) Dominica recorded 2 more cases of COVID-19 on April 3, 2020, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 14. National Epidemiologist (Ag) Dr. Shulladin Ahmed made the announcement at a Ministry of Health press briefing on April 3, 2020. Dr. Ahmed said, “These two cases are the contacts from index case number 3. These 2 cases are asymptomatic, and they have been admitted to the COVID complex in Portsmouth. Of the 14 confirmed cases of COVID-19, nine are male and five are female aged 34 – 85 years, and they are all clinically stable.” A total of 255 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests have been completed, of which 241 were negative. Dr. Ahmed further stated that 500 asymptomatic Dominican returnees were quarantined in March, 315 were placed on home quarantine and 185 were quarantined at the government quarantine facility in Portsmouth which currently houses 119 persons.
Medical Internist at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, Dr. Portia Meade informed that public of new protocols for entry at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital. All persons entering the facility are screened, and if persons meet the case definition for COVID-19, they are taken to a separate location for respiratory screening and sampling. The Ministry of Health has embarked on an aggressive method of contact tracing to ensure that all contacts are identified and tested. In this regard, three mobile teams have been activated for this task and the public is urged to cooperate with health officials on this.
Considering the presence of COVID-19 in Dominica, a State of Emergency was instituted on April 1, 2020. As part of this a curfew is in effect as follows:
- From 6 pm to 6 am from April 1, 2020 to April 20, 20, Mondays to Fridays.
- From 6 pm on Fridays to 6 am on Mondays between April 1, 2020 to April 20, 2020.
- From 6 pm on April 9, 2020 to 6 am on April 14, 2020.
Essential services can be assessed between 8 am and 2 pm on weekdays, however their operations must be done with adherence to the stipulations for social distancing presented by the Ministry of Health. All liquor licenses are suspended until April 14, 2020.
The public was urged to wear face masks when going out in public, continue social distancing, practice proper handwashing and good cough and sneeze etiquette, follow the curfew orders and stay home.
For more information on Dominica, contact Discover Dominica Authority at 767 448 2045. Or, visit Dominica’s official website: www.DiscoverDominica.com, follow Dominica on Twitter and Facebook and take a look at our videos on YouTube.
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About Dominica: Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-EEK-a, and not to be confused with the Dominican Republic) is a haven for adventure travelers seeking a unique vacation that includes: hiking and adventure, cultural events/festivals, diving and water sports, whale/dolphin watching and canyoning adventures. Dominica lies south of Guadeloupe and north of Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean. Air travelers can connect to Dominica on Air Antilles, Air Sunshine, Coastal Air Transport, LIAT, Seaborne Airlines, or WINAIR from the surrounding hubs of Antigua, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If travelling by sea, travelers can connect to Dominica on L’Express Des Iles ferry service from Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Lucia and on Valferry from Guadeloupe and Martinique.
