COVID-19

The vaccine developed by Swedish firm Astra Zeneca with Oxford University has been approved today  by DR for emergency use.

https://listindiario.com/la-republica/2 … d-19-en-rd

Even if the efficacy is lower it is at least a proven vaccine type like Sputnik. I would take it.

I am definitely on the fence with the unproven long term effects of mRNA manufactured vaccines. We simply do not know if there will be implications in years to come.

Those who transit after 7:00 at night will wait for New Years imprisoned in indoor clubs

The National Police warned that it will enforce the new measure
Indoor centers and clubs will help detainees wait for the New Year

https://www.diariolibre.com/portada/qui … EH23530325

At 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 31, the curfew will begin without the grace of free transit, which was eliminated by decree 740-20 issued yesterday Wednesday and that limits the movement of people with the intention of stop the spread of COVID-19.

The director of the National Police, Edward Ramón Sánchez González, warned citizens who want to violate the curfew that detention centers have been established, where offenders will be taken.

Sánchez González said that the National Police have identified, throughout the country, the indoor centers and clubs to which the detainees who violate the provision will take.

The videos tomorrow will be interesting.

The strict policing of the curfew last night seems to have worked across the country from what I have read.

Now we start the tougher controls which has been brought about by a minority not being able to act responsibly and voluntarily for the well being of the whole population to contain the spread of covid19 and all its impacts.

Government has a responsibility to protect the interests of ALL citizens and have had to act with even tougher controls.

The selfishness of a few has been so damaging to many.

What is perhaps surprising now is that the majority are using social media to call out those who abuse the decreed controls to contain covid19 and the police have had to respond. This would not have happened in pre Abinider times.

There is still an abundance of videos from last night!

It's getting better, but we have a ways to go.  This weekend will be interesting!

I have been out this afternoon...

Saw very little observance of the new rules

Lots of fiestas at colamdos
People sitting outside the supermarket drinking
Restaurants w/ people seated & eating..... local type joints.... not restaurant restaurant type

All sorts of social activity.....

Admittedly, these were pueblitos.... not larger populated areas

I gather Bonao had some real fisticuffs

I'm still trying to figure out the curfew rules, the strict ones starting today, Jan 1, 2021. One of two grocery stores (Supermercado) was open. I thought the restaurants were closed but some where open with food and drink service.

Take out only = restaurants & bars = no eat-in or drink=in

Supermercados are normal - except no eating/drinking on premises
Colmados = same rules - nothing on premises

The decree specifically refers  'Se establece que desde el 1 de enero de 2021 los bares, restaurantes y colmadones, no podrán recibir clientes que consuman en sus instalaciones hasta el 10 de enero.

Bars, restaurants and large colmados. Perhaps a better definition was needed.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CH … mp;bih=578

No mention of the local paradas.

I think the intention is to control drinking and large gatherings in such larger establishments, indoors or under cover. And that is where the problem lies imo.

It doesn't mention car washes either which can attract large crowds in some towns and cities. But I bet they are getting attention.

It doesn't mention no drinking on the streets outside smaller colmados which is what happens in the campo, small towns and city barrio colmados but then again the earlier decree bans gatherings over ten people and demands social diatancing , so the police have authority to deal with that too.

The aim is to stop the spread in large gatherings close together and close interaction fuelled with alcohol. Note the hotels are banned from holding such large gatherings during this period too.

To add, imo the problem is a grouping of younger people often males but with beer swigging women and the more westenised city middle classes too and is not the family orientated wider community. You just have to look at the photos and videos posted and it is those same groups.

https://listindiario.com/la-republica/2 … sanitarios

Palladium hotel in Bavaro fined 4million pesos for a party last night that broke sanitary rules. No such gatherings allowed until after 10th and the threat of removal of license if they fail to follow protocols again

Nice one David!

Yes, I expect that's right

But poor definitions - as you point out - the paradas are still going

The colmado parties are just as you describe....

We'll see the effectiveness of this.... better than nothing, I guess

All restaurants bars and colmados are take out and delivery only.  Lots of places thinking the rules don't apply to them

They all need to be shut the hell down including the hotels and resorts breaking the rules.  The videos online are disturbing. I am sick to death of staying home while others do what the hell they want! 

At this rate restrictions will not end until we are all vaccinated.  Damn idiots - locals, expats rich and poor!   Stupidity knows no class, it's widespread!

It will be the same with the weekend curfew from noon.

They will work hard to get compliance in cities and towns but how do you stop people in the campo from tending to their animals and farms?

In the campo they will focus on drinking holes and the folks will be circulating for essential stuff.

The country folk arent the problem. It is town and city folk....and expats.

I do hope they stop the drinking set from the local towns where there will be enforcement from heading into the campo to drink at weekends.

I very much doubt if all the paradas serving all the inter town and city buses and guaguas will not be operating or closed by the police. Ditto small colmados with a domino table outside and 4 players and a few plastic chairs.

Weekends how far can you go with only a few hours to get there... And buses at 60% capacity supposedly.

Yes the real problem is the bigger cities and then it just keeps spreading outwards.

Good friend of mine has three rescue dogs and what do you do when they need to be walked?  She will take her chances on weekends.  Same with small farms.  I assume big farms have agriculture permission.

Bulletin #289

New cases yesterday    747
Day positivity  31.96%
4 week rolling positivity   16.77%
Active cases    38,267

DN  329 positivity 16.24%
SD  138  positivity 19.37%
Santiago  68 positivity 19.30%
Duarte 24 positivity 17.79%
La Vega 39 positivity 19.63%
Puerto Plata  17 positivity 22.36%
MTS  44    positivity 23.99%   big number yesterday too

The capital, Santiago, La Vega and the North Coast appear to be the worst areas and probably need the toughest controls for an extended period.

Equally hospital availability is least in these areas.

There has been no curfew here in the campo in Monte Plata today.

The small colmado opposite the field from me has been pounding out loud music sin e 9am. And had had a real party this afternoon with plenty of drinking. A few cars came in, a few on horses, others on motos. Young men in drunken stuppor along with fat women including the colmado owner. No sign of the police based 15 minutes away in San Pedro.

Its 5pm and it continues.....There have been people complaining but the owner is a fiery woman who dcaf and this has been her opportunity to sell plenty of drinks rather than the usual occasional sale.

South African Covid Strain Raises Growing Alarm in the U.K.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles … in-the-u-k

There is increasing concern over the South African mutation of the virus and it may defeat the vaccines currently available. Worse still it seems to be more infectious than the UK (Kent) variant and affects younger people too seriously.

Both the UK and South Africa are among the countries who have the best genomic capabilty worldwide and have identified these variants well before other countries. There will be other variants out there too and as yet not understood. Variants are more likely to develop where there are most cases where the virus is allowed to freely spread. Genomic study is critically important.

Expect to hear more of this concern in the coming days.

I remain convinced, as I did months ago, that this now mutating virus is here to stay for a long time and lifestyles and economies will have to adapt.

Vaccines will help keep a level of control but it will be drug development that will be the key to best control imo.

Grim Bulletin #291

Total new cases yesterday   2,043
Day positivity  34.88%
4 week rolling positivity average  17.64%
Total active cases  39,143

The bulletins this week and the hospital situation will almost certainly determine what, if any, changes are made to the curfew after 10th January. Bad start!

thank you lennoxnev good to know at the speed is spreading there also the same input being placed in Biochemicals companies developing other methods . I was reading recently about a company named Vaccines their labs are in Canada and is headquartered in Massachusetts , they are running just a tad behind the other ones but I believe they have the cure. From what I read the trials were successfull in lab mice and they are going into step 1-1/2 out of 3  on humans for final approval. Check them out ?

Yes mutations and increased spread.... Yikes. 

I don't believe any company or press that claims a "cure" at this stage.  Until the proper studies are done it's all hype to drive stock prices.   

I am hopefull yet being very very careful. 

Our numbers are not going in the right direction so I can see an extension of these measures coming!

Let's hope the VP's optimism is well founded and watch this weeks numbers. I read into this...bad numbers = more tough and maybe tougher measures. Better numbers = some relaxation.

I don't think the people who are propogating this spread will ever follow the rules btw.

Raquel Peña hopes measures against COVID will be followed so as "not to have to take stronger ones"

https://listindiario.com/la-republica/2 … as-fuertes

Vice President Raquel Peña said that the daily positivity of 34.88% registered in cases of coronavirus in the country are a reflection of December 23 and 24, days that the measures against COVID-19 had not yet been tightened.

On December 30, the Government announced that it will remain from 5:00 in the afternoon to 5:00 in the morning from January 1 to 10, 2021, with the exception of Saturdays 2 and 9; and Sundays, January 3 and 10, which starts at 12:00 noon until 5:00 in the morning.

Similarly, the curfew of December 31 was changed, which began at 7:00 at night with no grace period to get to the house.

At the press conference at the National Palace on Monday morning, Peña said that they are confident that all the people will abide by the measures, "so as not to see the need to take other stronger measures."

He expressed that they expect to see the reflection of the restrictions in a decrease in positivity in the coming days.

The new cases reported this January 4 are 2,043, with a daily positivity of 34.88%, after 9,454 tests processed in the last 24 hours.

The accumulated number of registered cases is 175,374, while the assets amount to 39,143.

If arrests are any guage then no, people are not following the rules.

Endemic virus + short lived immunity + mutations = no surprise

It took a long time for the MoH to post todays bulletin details and they are such that they should concern expats:

District Nacional   732 new cases  positivity 17.06%
Santo Domingo     299 new cases  positivity 20.59%
Santiago                 320 new cases   positivity  20.70%
Puerto Plata          165 new cases   positivity  23.41%
La Vega                   116 new cases  positivity  20.65%
La Altagracia            99 new cases   positivity  14.75%
MTS                            54 new cases  positivity  24.31%
Espaillat                    22 new cases   positivity  20.04%

There are serious problems in the cities and North Coast from what I see. More testing in East Coast with hotel staff but issues there too for sure.

Samana only reported 3 new cases but 19.51 positivity.

How do you think overall testing is going? High / low? Compared to months back?

These are very concerning. And we are not yet seeing the effect of Christmas celebrations!

Everyone should be concerned.

DRVisitor wrote:

How do you think overall testing is going? High / low? Compared to months back?

There has been more testing with this government and importantly it is more widespread around the country. Better but not high levels. There are many who have symptoms but don't get tested because of cost when they don't have insurance. Two thousand cases a day is bad but that is not the real number.

agreed,  also factor in the fear.  Many wont get tested as that means they will go to hospital and never come out!    That is a real and widespread fear.

Many think they have gripe so wont spend the money to be tested either.

Tighter restrictions or same if numbers don't start to decrease?

https://www.arecoa.com/destinos/2021/01 … -covid-19/

The President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, admitted last Monday that a large part of the population and the authorities are tired of the fight against Covid-19, but he encouraged all Dominicans to make one last effort for the health of all .

“We know that it is not easy and I want to tell you that the country is tired. The Armed Forces and the National Police are tired, exhausted after ten months of day-to-day work ... I ask the population to make another effort, there are many sectors affected, but we are going to make one last effort to see if we achieve a level of minor contagion, to work towards the regularization of the economy, which is what we all want, ”he said.

The president acknowledged that it is not easy for his Government to tighten the confinement measures, however, he said that it is his duty to ensure the health of the people and abide by the recommendations of the specialists in order to reduce the number of Covid infections -19, according to Diario Libre.

Abinader said that due to the level of contact between people at the Christmas and New Year holidays, the international press reports more contact from people, so he hopes that after the confinement the contagion of Covid-19 will begin to significantly decrease.

Yeah well good luck with that!    Nothing is going to significantly decrease after  Christmas and new Year partying.

Mondays are the day there is less testing and that is reflected in today's bulletin.

Bulletin #292

Total new cases  475 from 1626 tests
Day positivity  29.21%
4 day rolling positivity  17.77%
Active cases   39,099

Hospital, ICU and vetilator  occupancy all up.

DN   208 new cases   
Santo Domingo 100
Puerto Plata  45
Santiago 25
La Altagracia 25
MTS  17
Duarte 14
La Romana & Monsenor N 10 each

I went into town today for the first time since the new restrictions. I was very surprised to see that the bakery I stopped by to get a pastry to go was serving at least 4 tables of patrons. The owners and the patrons are to blame and should be fined for breaking the rules.

I've also seen on our local Facebook page that people are taking advantage of the hotel restaurants being allowed to operate. So now those restaurants are more crowded that normal with a mix of locals and guests. If it's not specifically stated that these hotel restaurants should only be serving their guests, it should be!

This is not allowed. yet they do what they want. And those who suffer are the rest.

Unstoppable increase in COVID-19 positivity

https://noticiassin.com/sigue-en-aument … uebas-pcr/

Despite the guarantee of the Health Cabinet that the country has the capacity to process 12 thousand PCR tests a day and that more laboratory machines will arrive soon, the demand of the population to undergo these tests increases as it increases the virus positivity rate. 

Meanwhile, health sector unions insist that there is a shortage of tests and a lack of beds for COVID-19 positive patients, which continue to increase and only this Thursday more than 1,100 new cases are reported.

The authorities only seek to reassure the public by ensuring that there is sufficient PCR evidence for the demand of the population, as expressed by the health sector unions. 

“There are people here who are arriving at 5 in the morning to queue up at the laboratories and have not been able to get a test,” said Julio César García, SINATRAE Secretary General.

"My father is hospitalized here and they are demanding a test from me in my work to be able to enter and now they have set me an appointment for the 12th," said the patient Flor Guzmán. 

Regarding the information from the health authorities that in the country there are beds available to assist those infected with the virus, health unions called on Public Health this Thursday to show where those beds are.

"The beds are occupied, there are none, they are improvising stretchers in some cases", said Julio César García-Secretary General SINATRAE

Other newspapers too are reporting lack of beds in the main cities and patients on stretchers in hospitals. There may be beds available in the distant provinces but those aren't what expats would expect.

It appears it is taking about 5 days to get the result from a PCR test for most people using hospitals so the figures we are seeing probably do not yet represent fully the effects of lax period from Chritsmas to the New Year fully.

Perhaps worse news to come and one wonders if the health cabinet can confidently reduce the current curfew hours which expire after Sunday. Personally I think the Sunday midday curfew should stay.

Yesterday the Senate approved the next extension to the state of emergency from 16th January for 45 days, so expect a decree to follow and almost certainly curfews until March. Get used to them, and the more severe the less the population repects them.

Wednesday had 2000+ new cases reported,
Yesterday was 1100+  new cases. 

I'd have to agree with you.

People are queing for testing again and there is a suggestion there aren't enough test kits now.

It is grim in Santo Domingo I've heard, and from the hospital bed situation in Santiago and PP it must be just as bad there too.

It will take weeks of tough measures to get the positivity back down and protect the hospitals from a totaly collapsed service imo.

There is bed availbility in my province Monte Plata, but here there has been a low incidence of the virus and the towns are few and small.

thank you lennoxnev: I indeed agree with you it has become a wordwide problem even the mutations of it. I do not think in the history of the human race we have seen such speed of contagion. I was checking on one called vaccines you may want to read on it ,they are on phase 2 of the testing their labs are in Canada and their offices are in the U.S.A. . You can also check it by the stock market with a symbol of VBIV , click on their profile and check their web site. The sooner we find the proper vaccine the quicker things will return to somewhat normal. Still it will be very costly to the whole world from the government perspective allocating funds maybe destined for something else Pre-Covid and after allocating it to Covid relief . I know  Bill Gates thru his foundation has committed more than 250 million to it . Stay safe . God Bless everyone . Krumite

There are already vaccines so not sure what your post was referring to. More vaccine options are always welcome!  Increased production of vaccines is welcome.

As seen in other countries they better plan for the roll of the vaccine NOW.   If its as usual it will be a mess!   

10 months in we still cannot get testing properly organized. AND that is not  targeted just here,  many countries are struggling still.   

I am expecting the  curfew to continue. Lets see what happens on sunday.

it is very sad Planner, for myself I read and do research a lot for just about everything , from what I know there have been casualties post vaccines treatment and yes the more vaccines we have the better the options and potentially will alleviate the burden in a lot of countries. The one I suggested to read upon is quite interesting as it does not require low temperatures and on trials is only a 1 shot deal. Hopefully it will get approved and be part of all the other options out there. The entire planet needs it, who knows? if this covid situation will bring countries closer to a greater cooperation in just about everything  in our world. I have always said to myself the following : I am a citizen the world , then I am an American. Blessings . Krumite