COVID-19

In my area most locals DONT support it. They were the example that i found when i got here. When they talk about cops enforcing the curfew , they say, "nos molestan".   I was following THEIR example, not they, mine.

This is a family oriented country and over two thirds still support the government.

I am not surprised mongers and their local friends dont agree but you are a very small minority and not even representative of expats.

You need to travel within DR before spouting off.

You constantly do a great diservice to all the good law abiding expats here and whilst I've been willing to hear your views you are clearly anti establishment, anti Dominican and anarchistic.

The people at the party were mostly couples.  And the majority setting the example are locals, not gringos.  And I dont hate anybody..and didnt speak against anybody..but YOU speak against me.  Ohhh, the irony.

Has any vaccines made it here yet? The pfizer and Moderna is now available  limited in the states.

Vaccines are not expected until later in March. The govt bought enough for 70% of the population.

Colonel, you have been found guilty by judge and jury of 1. Behave yourself.

DRVisitor wrote:

Has any vaccines made it here yet? The pfizer and Moderna is now available  limited in the states.

The Pfizer is not a viable alternative for here..... the freezing requirement.

the AZ is the approved one and is on order.............

Bulletin #275

New cases yesterday  1135
Day positivity  16.27%
4 week positivity   13.22%
Active cases      33,398

ICU occupancy 56%

DN 454
SD  184
Santiago 120
La Vega   67
Puerto Plata 56
La Altagracia   44
Duarte   40
Monsenor N  27

Main problem is the cities, big towns and tourists areas (except Samana 0 cases) right now. Puerto Plata now has the second highest positivity nationally at 20.40% compared to 12,29% in DN and 15.08% in SD, 16.12% La Vega, 14.13% Santiago, Duarte 17.83%, Monsenor N 21.70%, La Altagracia 10.79% and Samana 11.33%.

La Altagracia numbers may be due to hotel staff testing with the only decent sized town being Higuey.

The new strain of the virus which has appeared in the UK and is being identified in other countries in Europe and Australia already is reason for concern for all of us including here in DR. See governments reaction just now below:

It is more easily transmitted and is predicted to spread globally fast.

Worse still it caries a higher viral load and that could lead to higher death rates.

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-gov … n-12169134

David Collado has asked that flight from the UK be halted:

David Collado requests to ban flights from the UK

The Minister of Tourism informs that he makes the request to the JAC in coordination with the Public Health authorities

https://www.diariolibre.com/economia/da … CF23409913

This is a further reason for continued covid19 controls and social distancing even with vaccines now being rolled out.

Research is taking place to see if vaccines will be effective for this new strain and the general opinion is yes but with further mutations the virus may change such that vaccines have to be changed like flu and vaccination will be a regular thing in the future. We will find out in due course, but covid19 and controls are likely to be with us for a long time.

And on the subject of vaccination certification to travel, the response by foreign governments including DR to travel from the UK right now is a clear indicator imo that this requirement will come once vaccines are readily available. Governments will want to protect their citizens.

A new wave in DR in the coming weeks is looking more likely and tougher controls too if this more transmitable version gets here:

StanR wrote:

Colonel, you have been found guilty by judge and jury of 1. Behave yourself.

WRONG!   The owners of the site determine this.

I am watching the news on this new "strain" as well. Its concerning to say the least. Last I saw  120 countries  were banning arrivals from the UK. 

Friends tell me that they are struggling in the UK with this news!   

I feel badly for everyone effected.

It has been around for a couple of months in the UK (South Africa has a similar mutation too) and it is replacing the earlier virus strains.

People have been coming here from the UK in that time and our airport controls are weak.

It has been identified in other countries already so it will expand in those countries too and spread elsewhere and soon be with us all.

Banning flights from the UK is acting after the 'horse has bolted' and a measure to try and control the speed of the new spread coming to all of us. We might see travel bans cropping up everywhere early next year and perhaps worse lock downs.

We were all delighted to hear of vaccine approvals, but it apears, this virus is a step ahead always.

My opinion remains as I stated several months ago, societies and people have to adapt to live in covid19 times. I have moved from the city and apartment living to an more open air, more free, healthier life in the campo.

Activities which need large gatherings of people and where we encounter crowds don't work well in this new scenario.

And recall what Jay told us.....we are only in the early innings!

The word is, by scientists, the vaccine appears to work just fine against this strain.  That is great news.

Thank you for the info. yes I knew about it as of yesterday and halting flights to Great Britain . I read about 2 months ago about it and about a third one from a flea in animals very sad that we all have to endure all this

More random testing of arriving passengers and reduction in capacity of inter city buses

COVID-19 tests will be applied to 15% of travelers

https://noticiassin.com/aplicaran-prueb … iajeros-2/

Faced with the rebound in COVID-19 and the discovery of a new strain of the virus in the United Kingdom, the Tourism Office announced that it will increase to 15 percent random tests on passengers arriving in Dominican territory, as well as a series of measures to streamline the flow of travelers at air terminals and thereby prevent crowds.

To avoid long lines and riots at airports, the institutions involved in airport security will work together and double their staff on these days when thousands of Dominicans from the diaspora and tourists arrive to spend the Christmas holidays.

The Migration Directorate doubled its staff and equipment and is committed to ensuring that the flow of a flight does not last more than 30 minutes, up to 45 minutes. There will be patrols throughout Las Américas avenue with the National Police, CESTUR and the Ministry of Defense to guarantee the safety of tourists and absent citizens who come to the DR during these dates.

At the International airports of Las Américas, Punta Cana, Santiago, La Romana and Puerto Plata, the protocol will be strengthened to speed up the entry process for travelers.

In addition, only two people per vehicle will be able to come to pick up or take travelers, while only one will have access to enter the airport to accompany their relative.

They also limited the number of passengers on intercity buses to 60 percent of their capacity and will expand random COVID-19 testing to international travelers from 5 to 15 percent.

"Public Health with C5i has doubled its staff in coordination within the airport, they will be doing the random tests that had already been reported to the public through blowing," David Collado, Minister of Tourism

This Wednesday the Tourism Cabinet via the General Customs Directorate will disseminate all the measures adopted in a paid space.

So far 160 thousand people have entered the country through the different airports.

Curfew

If you google the extent of the curfew in DR you will find articles that say it was until 22nd December. It has to date been extended to date by decrees specifically for the curfew.

It would appear that the Decree 698-20 issued on the 15th December defining the holiday and mobility rules with  tighter restrictions in 6 provinces, states that the defined curfew stays in force until any state of emergency expires or in accordance with any ammendments. That is until 15th January 2021 currently.

https://presidencia.gob.do/sites/defaul … 281%29.pdf

ARTÍCULO 8. Las medidas dispuestas en el presente decreto entran en vigencia desde hoy,
15 de diciembre de 2020, y hasta el levantamiento del estado de emergencia, incluyendo
cualquier posible prórroga de este, o hasta que se disponga alguna variación a tales medidas.

Well, that is how I read it and there has been no new curfew decree. Indefinite curfew if the state of emergency is in place or other modification. And a reduction of covid19 in DR to the levels sought looks unlikley for some time to come.

THanks Lennox for the updates.

Ive heard a rumor that thectests will be of the same kind Elon Musk had. Does anybody know if thats true? Remember , he had FOUR tests....2 positive, 2 negative.   Does anybody think it matters?

Who really cares what elon musk did.  It's way in the past.  You keep repeating the same crap, move on.

It was a couple of weeks ago.  And it could be possible that nobody else here but me cares.

Thank you lennoxnev, good to know in essence we all have to be calm about it and allow health official do what they are mandated to do. Is very unfortunate for the whole planet but we have to stop the spread somehow someway , I mentioned that before this is not a regional problem is a world problem that needs to be contained, as no one is exempt from it. May all of you be safe , the results of this covid-19 is that we will see a more concentrated world cooperation ! Blessings to you and yours . Krumite

The airport testing is a token gesture even at a random 15%.

They will be serology tests which have been in place since September and aren't full proof and detect antibodies.

Not even PCR tests which are full proof can identify recently infected people.

DR has over 34k active cases and an increasing positivity well over the target levels and increasing. It is getting worse at the wrong time with festivites underway. I have to say these festivities are muted in my area with the police taking a firm hand. But in the capital and Santiago where the cases are most, the daytime crowds of the last few days spell bad omens for the coming weeks ahead with a mass migration, along with recent arrivals from abroad, to families regionally for Noche Buena.

The best hospitals are filling up, so advice to expats is take all recommended and decreed measures to avoid getting infected in DR and encourage others likewise.

thank you , here you know the speed of the spread, bigger than the yearly California fires? But it happened the rest now is to cooperate and be safe. Once i get there I do not mind being locked up in one place if need to be , I did that in Latvia not a problem. I think we all need to be real positive about it and hopefully this world thing will go away by next summer . Stay safe blessing . Krumite

For sure sure, this pandemic, like all others throughout history, will probably also just burn itself out.  And they dod it with no lockdowns, no vaccinations, no ruining economies, and the mostly symbolic measures were mostly usless.

HAd to put this down as it has been running through my head - too bad those that really need to read and understand it can't.
Covid-19 will go away or rather take it's place alongside all other diseases and illnesses once safe and time tested vaccines prove themselves to be so. It will take many more months to get that "safe" vaccine that is truly tried and proven. Getting the damn sickness under control now, monitoring ALL those who get the first vaccine shots, and learning all the pros and cons from those folks is required and will certainly help, not just governments, but local populations return to more normal living.
In the past, yes, diseases burnt themselves out - with great loss of life. However, even then, without the benefit of modern vaccines, they undertook some serious actions like burning infected bodies, houses and even whole villages - and there was economic losses but once the sickness was considered abated, people rebounded and economies, such as they were back then, returned.
Our modern world is controlled by many elements beyond the grasp/influence of/by local, regional or even country. Which brings us right back to the importance of making sure we as individuals do our part and that those around us do so as well. WHY, some may ask or argue - because these directives have been proven effective - when everyone follows them as most of the world (that I have read or hear about) did at the start of this. So be safe friends - get some good wine and enjoy quality time with those that you can. Merry Christmas and let's hope and pray for a much better New Year.

Well said!

Thank you 2VPsoldier : wise words for all the readers, rules and regulation were created seeking a common good and this is where we are today with Covid-19. At times the media at least in the U.S.A. makes it so explosive that if we are not careful we all fall in that trap. As we all live in a more interconnected world where the news comes at all of us instantly from everywhere it is wise to pause think about it rather than jumping an react. Merry Christmas to all , many blessings in the days ahead. We all are what we think, act positively with your thoughts and the doors will open. Bless you all again . Krumite

Bulletin #280

New cases yesterday  1158
Day positivity 25.12%
4 week positivity 13.74%
Active cases 34,518

DN  533 new cases, SD 187, Santiago 146, Duarte 49, La Vega 35, Puerto Plata 34, La Altagracia 30, San Cristobal 25, Monsenor N 25.

Clearly we are in for a  very bad January!   Buckle up people.

I am staying home this  holiday season. I'd rather  be safe and live to experience another  year of celebrations.

Wise words PVSoldier.

Mobility from nation to nation has made dealing with more recent epidemics harder becasue viruses (and bacteria) can travel too.

Only vaccines will control this virus in the coming years, like was the case with polio, smallpox and yellow fever to name a few. But the probability of this virus mutating just like the other well known coronavirus - flu - is now increasingly evident, such that vaccines will probably have to develop too and we will have to get used to regular vaccinations as part of the new future.

We are so fortunate that vaccines have been developed so quickly for this virus, yet other virus such as malaria, HIV, Marburg and Ebola continue to ravage populations and have not died out.

In the meantime waiting for population protection by vaccine, we must act responsibly to others and follow rules laid down by our governments, especially so here in DR where the family lives as a unit, young and old under the same roof.

Bulletin #281

1381 new cases yesterday
35,525 active cases
Day positivity 20.65%
4 week positivity 14.26%

DN 524 new cases, SD 278, Santiago 186, Puerto Plata 60, MTS 46, La Vega 45, La Altagracia 33, Duarte 29, Valverde 26, San Juan 20, San Cristobal 17.

Ouch !!
MTS makes the list.....

all the clinics are warning that the incidence is high here in Cabrera

I'm sorry but that statement shows a complete lack of knowledge of history.  The bubonic plague devastated the European medieval economy and there was very much a lockdown in place (a side effect was that there was huge inflation afterwards, pretty much for the first time in history, because so many able bodied had died that there was a shortage of labour and workers demanded big increases in pay).  the Spanish flu killed millions and cities that came out of lockdown too soon saw a recurrence.  In both cases the diseases burned themselves out when there weren't enough potential hosts (because people had immunity or just not a susceptibility, all those who were susceptible having died) for the virus to replicate exponentially.  In the case of the plague in London in the 1660's it took the Great Fire of London to wipe it out.

masks have been in use during airborne infections for centuries - because it is the only thing we have that seems to work.  and in the greater scheme of things, masks are such a small inconvenience to make sure you look out for your fellow humans.  If there is even a 10% chance that wearing a mask can stop your neighbour wheezing on a ventilator, why would you not wear one?

plenty of illnesses that you don't even think about today were eradicated by vaccinations.  My father had polio as a child.  How many people do you know who have polio today?

You can rail all you want about freedom and the government being out to get you (why, exactly?) but don't make statements that aren't true.

Willie Web: it is unfortunate but is just everywhere, I take my precautions ,but I will not stress over it. All the world government are doing what they can do based on the info they received from across the world. In reality shutting the world down ,we will all become loosers. I have even read how private charter of aircraft are booming because of people scared of taking commercial flights. This will go away the same way it came in. Is all about keeping our bodies healthy . Merry Christmas. Krumite

Bubonic Plague - Eyam England

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-derbyshire-51904810

Thank you for the posting Lennox nev : Yes indeed covid is here, we all need take the necessary precautions to keep our immune system healthy and yes these are the holidays and at times we all become careless with our heath. Look at the ugly side of this , if we as a world do not beat this the consequences could be very ugly for everyone. We have possibly never thought on how interconnected we are to each other as human beings, even from the world government efforts to curve this thing by borrowing more or maybe printing more money without any real method of repayment and guess where that repayment method will come from?  All of us !!! ,with higher cost of living , potentially higher taxation that really no one needs . Personally I want my fellow man and woman to prosper simply because it will have a positive effect in our world and the communities we live in. We all have to do our part. Blessing . Krumite

thank you, is good be positive , we can all beat this thing by being informed , informing others in a kind way and getting the message out there.

Lets not  get off topic please.    This thread is focused on covid.

If that is directed at me/my post

The headline from the BBC thread is Coronavirus

Coronavirus: What can the 'plague village' of Eyam teach us?

It was a generic don't stray off topic honey. Not directed at any one person.