COVID-19: National Epidemiologist cautions Dominicans that ‘the fight is far from over’

Physical distancing out the window? People doing business in Roseau on Thursday

National Epidemiologist, Dr. Shallauddin Ahmed, has warned residents of a possible second wave of COVID-19 hitting Dominica.

Monday, May 4th marked one month since a new COVID-19 case has been reported on the island and although this may be a time for rejoicing, health officials have pleaded with the public to avoid becoming complacent.

Dr. Ahmed is urging people to continue to practice the life-saving behaviours that they have adopted.

“Dominican citizens have adopted social distancing, good hand hygiene and proper respiratory etiquette as part of the new normal for them and this has proven successful so far and it is working but we need to be wary of a possible second wave. The fight is far from over,” he cautioned during the weekly COVID-19 press briefing.

The epidemiologist noted that this pandemic is showing the world that it is not about “survival of the fittest” but “survival of the smartest” meaning that countries that ranked high in the preparedness and healthcare index, “have now been brought to their knees” by this invisible pathogen.

Ahmed stressed, “We need to play it safe and play smart. Therefore, continuing to stay home, wearing masks when you are out and practising good hygiene is essential in order for us to be able to begin the process of opening the country and moving past this pandemic.”

Director of Primary Health Care, Dr. Laura Esprit, who also spoke at that press briefing, reminded Dominicans that the 2020 Hurricane seasons is less than one month away and COVID-19 will not disappear because of this approaching period.

“This ‘COVICANE’ season,” she advised, “is one to be taken seriously as we are confronted with not one, but two phenomena – infectious nature and natural disaster. So, let’s bear this in mind as we continue with the duel preparations to protect the lives of our families and our citizens.”

Dr. Esprit exhorted Dominicans not to focus only on the decreasing number of active cases on the island but to welcome recovered cases back to their communities.

She urged citizens to avoid stigmatization and to provide the necessary reassurance and support to all who have recovered thus far.

“The public’s reaction can either hinder or advance the clients complete recovery which includes both their physical and mental well-being and this can impact their reintegration post COVID…we are all vulnerable to COVID and would want to have the Golden Rule apply to us – treating others as we would want to be treated.”

Health Minister, Dr. Irving McIntyre also called on Dominicans to remain focused and to turn this challenging time into an opportunity of better life practices.

He urged residents to spend time building their families at home, to prioritize spending money on necessary items and practice backyard gardening.

“We also have opportunities as regards to preventing future infections because some of the measures that we’re doing here in terms of hand-washing, respiratory etiquette, sanitizing and disinfecting of our homes and workplaces must continue even after COVID,” the minister pointed out.

To date, the total confirmed cases remain at sixteen (16). Fourteen (14) have recovered and two (2) are active.

Based on the Government of Dominica’s COVID-19 Report released on Sunday, May 3, there are eleven (11) people in quarantine.

In all, 416 persons have been tested on the island.

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11 Comments

  1. EXSLAVE
    May 6, 2020

    arab testing hebrew wat a ting
    the wolf over the sheep

  2. EXSLAVE
    May 6, 2020

    how can a arab test the hebrews the people of God
    the arabs that have hated the chosen children of God
    let us not go to the roman catholic church
    amalek

  3. derp
    May 6, 2020

    but wait awhile I thought curfew and non essential businesses closed look all dog and cat business opening, the last time there was pandemic the second wave killed much more people than the first smh!

  4. Steal-from-us or stimulus?
    May 6, 2020

    A possible 2nd waive Dr. Ahmid? Awa don’t frighten us Please doctor. Let Trump and his medical team warn Americans about a possible second waive because at least, he gave them a stimulus package to ride the the first storm as well as almost every island of the Caribbean except of course Dominica that still working on a stealuus package. Right now I am asking myself if the package he working on is a stealu-us or a stealfromus package because for sure the stimulus ship has left us. So I wish Dr. Armid would ask Skerrit to tell us what package he working on

    • Eagle-Eyed
      May 6, 2020

      @Steal-from-us or stimulus, Trump’s trillions of dollars stimulus package handed over to him by the democrats did not go to ordinary Americans and small businesses. It was all gobbled up by wealthy Americans and big businesses that did not need that money. The money was all used up before the small struggling businesses could even apply and at the same time he, (Trump) diverted a huge portion of that to his vanity “Trump Wall” project, so I wouldn’t be gloating over Trump’s stimulus package. What’s more is that this debt will have to be payed back by the children of ordinary Americans long after Trump is gone. So it is not free money that Trump putting in ordinary Americans pockets. Dominica cannot afford to print money like the Americans and other Caribbean governments will have to explain to their population why they have to pay back that debt in higher taxes once things get back to normal.

    • EXSLAVE
      May 6, 2020

      arab vs hebrew
      amalek

  5. May 6, 2020

    Some interesting news. Millie Small of Jamaica, My Boy Lollipop, has died at 72 after suffering a stroke. Jamaica Ska lady.

  6. Ibrahim Brohim
    May 6, 2020

    What i can say is that some masks are reusable, can be used more than once, but they have to be washed every day. Other masks which are 1-time use only, cannot and should not be used the next day, but people may have only 1 mask and so they use again

  7. Roger Burnett
    May 6, 2020

    This morning, in one of a Roseau chain of supermarkets, none of the three cashiers were wearing face masks and one was coughing and sneezing regardless.

    I have reported the matter.

    • Roger Burnett
      May 6, 2020

      I hasten to add that this incident in no way lessons my respect for the hundreds of cashiers who have taken all precautions and continued to serve the public.

  8. Masked Crusader
    May 6, 2020

    I see some people wearing the same mask day in and day out. Is this proper?

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