COVID-19

Bulletin # 309:

New cases reported yesterday  1,473
Day positivity 19.56%
4 week positivity  22.05%
Active cases  52,158

All hospital occupations up and little capacity left in private facilities

DN 294, SD 234, Santiago 331, Puerto Plata 113, Espaillat 84, La Vega 85, La Altagracia 62, Duarte 43, SPM 39, San Cristobal 24, Hermanas M 20, Monsenor N 20, El Seibo 20, Santiago R 19, Monte Plata 19, Azua 13, Peravia 11, MTS 9, La Romana 9, San Juan 9 Barahona 9, cases in all provinces except Elias Pina , Baoruca and Pedernales.

davidebennett wrote:

Is that beginning on the 27th, or did they change tomorrow and Sunday from noon curfew to 5:00 curfew?

The Vice President of the Republic, Raquel Peña, on Friday asked the population to assume the new curfew measures that will come into effect from Wednesday, January 27 with responsibility and conscience so that the pandemic can be maintained with the downward trend and a reduction in positivity.

The Government ordered that the new curfew schedule will begin from Monday to Friday from 7 at night until 5:00 in the morning and there will be a grace of free transit until 10 at night.

While on Saturdays and Sundays the curfew will begin at 5:00 in the afternoon until 5:00 am the next day with free transit until 8:00 at night.


and

The Health Cabinet announced a new decree to face the coronavirus and that makes the measures related to the bar and restaurant sector more flexible.

The new provision indicates that places of consumption of alcoholic beverages and food will be able to receive clients up to 60% of their total capacity and only six people per table.

The new measures will take effect from Wednesday, January 27, and will remain in force until Monday, February 8.

but no dancing allowed in bars and colmados

They are relaxing for 2 weeks hoping the population will respect the measures needed to maintain the slight decrease in positivity.

My bet is that the locals will let their hair down again and party and come February we are back again where we were.

It was party time here in the campo yesterday until midnight - the centre of the village was littered with plastic cups early this morning. People don't care unless they are policed.

COVID-19: UK coronavirus variant more deadly than original, PM warns

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-uk- … s-12195663

The COVID-19 variant that was first identified in the UK is more deadly than the original virus, the prime minister has warned.

At the Downing Street news conference on Friday, Boris Johnson said: "There is some evidence that the new variant may be associated with a higher degree of mortality."

England and Scotland announced new restrictions on 4 January to stem a surge in coronavirus fuelled by the variant, which has led to record numbers of daily deaths and infections this month.

The government said a further 1,401 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for COVID-19 as of Friday, bringing the UK total to 95,981.

Separate figures published by the UK's statistics agencies for deaths where COVID-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate, together with additional data on deaths that have occurred in recent days, show there have now been 112,000 deaths involving the virus in the UK.


And the South African variant appears worse along with Brazil variant!

NOOOOOOO  all begins the  27th.

And that is scary, the new variant potentially more deadly. And here we are with open damn boarders.

Bulletin #310

New cases reported yesterday  1,362
Day positivity  19.65%
4 week positivity  21.89%
Active cases  52,847

Hospitalizations showing drops.

DN 279, SD 186, Santiago 235, La Vega 121, Puerto Plata 82, SPM 74, Valverde 69, Espaillat 50, Duarte 31, La Romana 31, La Altagracia 30, Monte Plata 27, San Cristobal 26, Barahona 26, MTS 14, Baoruco 12, Hermanas M 11, San Juan 11, Monsenor N 11, Dajabon 10.

Bulletin #311:

New cases reported yesterday  1,439
Day positivity  19.17%
4 week positivity 21.73%
Active cases 53,529

All hospitalizations show a slight drop

DN 253, SD 199, Santiago 231, La Vega 153, Puerto plata 80, Espaillat 73, La Romana 73, MTS 69, Monte Cristi 54, La Altagracia 44, Hermanas M 42, Baoruco 33, SPM 25, El Seibo 21, Azua 19, San Juan 18. Only Samana and Elias Pina not reporting cases

Last week, the Nagua hospital was turning people away - full of CV cases

Macoris was busy too.....but still accepting

Bulletin #312

New cases reported yesterday  1,216
Day positivity  26.43%
4 week positivity  21.67%
Active cases  21.67% 

ICU cases up

DN 328, SD 167, La Altagracia 145, Valverde 134, Espaillat 86, Dajabon 63, Santiago 56, Hermanas M 46, La Vega 35, Duarte 31, San Cristobal 29, Santiago R 27, Puerto Plata 23, Sanchez Ramirez 10.  5 provinces with zero cases - Elias Pina, El Seibo, SPM, Monte Plata and Hato Mayor.

CMD and medical societies: health system could collapse due to flexibility in the face of coronavirus

Guilds appeal to the awareness of the Dominicans; remember that measures such as hand washing and use of a mask cannot be forgotten

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … BA23982210

The president of the Society of Infectious Diseases, Rita Rojas, warned this Monday that the relaxation of measures to combat COVID-19 represent a danger in the face of the health system, which could collapse at any time.

"We are at a time where positivity is very high, where health personnel are exhausted, and we call for the awareness of each Dominican, which is an individual responsibility, which impacts collectively," explained the specialist.

Through a press conference, Rojas indicated that both the Dominican Medical College (CMD) and 53 specialized medical societies reject the action measures that the Government recently adopted, by allowing certain businesses such as restaurants, gyms, among others, to reopen operations, making monitoring of social distancing measures more difficult.

"In addition, the relaxation of the curfew as of this Wednesday does not seem a justified measure from the health point of view," he said.

The specialist explained that the latest flexibilization actions of the Government, at a time when the country receives the greatest negative impact as a result of this pandemic, does not seem well weighted from a medical point of view.

“From January 1 to date, the Ministry of Public Health is reporting more than a thousand cases daily. It would seem that these unprecedented statistics have not been taken into account, "he said.

And he added: "In addition, health personnel are dealing with a significant increase in levels of morbidity and mortality, which should be communicated to the population so that they become more aware of the situation."

In this sense, the Dominican Medical College and medical societies call on the population to, as of this Wednesday, the date on which the Government allows greater flexibility, take prudent measures and not use any closed public space, except in exceptional circumstances or necessity, as long as they are complying with the protocols.

"We insist on hand washing, on the use of a mask and physical distancing as necessary measures, until most of the population can receive the vaccine and immunity can be achieved," Rojas highlighted.

Similarly, he explained that until the country has the vaccine and the percentage of positivity decreases substantially, they do not recommend that control measures continue to be reduced.

Meanwhile, the president of the CMD, Waldo Ariel Suero, indicated that these measures were not consulted with this union and maintains that the Government gives in to pressure from businessmen.

“As you take these measurements with a positivity rate of 24%, when to change this type of measurement this has to go gradually. If you told me that the pandemic is under control, or that there is a flattening of the curve, or a 5% positivity rate, we would agree ”, said the doctor.

Based on the January bulletins, Suero said the pandemic is out of control and cases are increasing every day.

“We cannot agree with this type of measure. We understand that the Government has given in to business pressure, that it has thrown in the towel with the system, "he added.

Over the past few days since the public holiday on Thursday and again today, it appears that Dominicans have let loose and the probability of a spike in cases and another increase in positivity in a week's time could happen. After a few days of positivity hovering at 20%, it has again jumped today. There was no medical justification for easing curfew and especially opening bars etc. as stated.

Probably why DR bought Pfizer vaccine - being reported problem with Astrozeneca

German media reporting that the AstraZeneca vaccine is only 8% effective in over-65s. Would be a huge blow to roll-out plans.


https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/de … ddbjQM-ap4

DRVisitor wrote:

Probably why DR bought Pfizer vaccine - being reported problem with Astrozeneca

German media reporting that the AstraZeneca vaccine is only 8% effective in over-65s. Would be a huge blow to roll-out plans.


https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/de … ddbjQM-ap4

Could you translate and post.

UK media is very quick at picking up anything like this but nothing yet.

For sure the effiacy reported in the controlled trials will be less in reality.

https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver … -eifficacy

Isreal has vaccinated more of it's popualtion percentage wise than any other country followed by the UK and we are beginning to see real efficiacy results.

Pfizer is coming in at 52% from the findings so far in Israel.

https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n217

Vaccination is not the be all and end all of this virus especially with mutations . It sure will help.

Berlin, Düsseldorf, Brussels After the controversial vaccination start in Germany, the federal government placed high hopes in the approval of the vaccine from Astra-Zeneca: The preparation of the British-Swedish group is to complement the RNA vaccine from Biontech and Moderna and pave the way for the second vaccination phase pave the way in which people can also have their family doctors vaccinated.

But the vaccine from Astra-Zeneca, which, unlike the RNA agents, does not require extreme freezing temperatures for storage, could be unsuitable for seniors at risk of corona: According to information from the Handelsblatt from coalition circles, the federal government only expects an effectiveness of eight percent among the over 65s. It was feared that this vaccine, for which the EU could approve this week, would not come close to the 90 percent effectiveness of the RNA vaccine. The extremely low effectiveness in seniors is a setback for the Berlin vaccination strategy.

Covid19 Vaccine Wars

Thanks for the translation.

It has now hit the UK press and Astra Zeneca are hitting back.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/13889 … 5-efficacy

Not surprising with so much business at stake and a rushed approval process which normally takes years.

Anyhow the story comes from https://twitter.com/washingtonski?ref_s … r%5Eauthor

No back up though given for his assertions.

Germany and the EU has not approved the AZ vaccine yet (planned for this Friday) but has approved the Pfizer vaccine which is made in conjunction with German scientists. There is no record of the AZ vaccine efficacy in Germany other than the information provided by that company of it's trials to date and perhaps the results from early use in the UK.

No wonder there are sceptics for these rushed approved vaccines. But at least very shortly we will be getting some real actual data on the efficacy in use in the UK just like for the Pfizer vaccine in Israel.

Nothing surprises me about the EU.  Already threatening the UK with other measures.

Thank goodness the UK left this is bureaucratic club of unelected appointees.  As of today 7m people already vaccinated in the UK compared with France 1.1m
Oxford AZ will deliver it's promises of the vaccine to other countries around the world.

Yes that means we will have some real widescale efficacy data in the next few weeks including for over 65s with all over 80s vaccinated now and over 70s happening now.

All useful!

Bulletin #313

New cases reported yesterday 1,143
Day positivity 25.03%
4 week positivity 21.61%
Active cases 53,929

Hospitalizations steady but private hospitals and clinics are nearing capacity.

Santiago 291, DN 239, Puerto Plata 118, La Vega 115, SD 95, San Juan 40, La Romana 36, La Altagracia 27, Santiago R 21, Peravia 20, Duarte 18, Sanchez Ramirez 15, Baoruco 14, San Cristobal 13, Valverde 12, Monsenor N 12, Dajabon 10.

More deaths too - another 19 - making 128 in the last 9 days.

Low number  Tuesday not so low.

DRVisitor wrote:

Berlin, Düsseldorf, Brussels After the controversial vaccination start in Germany, the federal government placed high hopes in the approval of the vaccine from Astra-Zeneca: The preparation of the British-Swedish group is to complement the RNA vaccine from Biontech and Moderna and pave the way for the second vaccination phase pave the way in which people can also have their family doctors vaccinated.

But the vaccine from Astra-Zeneca, which, unlike the RNA agents, does not require extreme freezing temperatures for storage, could be unsuitable for seniors at risk of corona: According to information from the Handelsblatt from coalition circles, the federal government only expects an effectiveness of eight percent among the over 65s. It was feared that this vaccine, for which the EU could approve this week, would not come close to the 90 percent effectiveness of the RNA vaccine. The extremely low effectiveness in seniors is a setback for the Berlin vaccination strategy.

NEW: The German Health Ministry has DENIED the Handelsblatt report claiming the AstraZeneca vaccine had only 8% efficacy for over-65s

They say there has been confusion and 8% actually refers to the number of people in the study between 56 and 69 years old

Amazing that both the leading German financial newspaper and then Bild ran with this story without checking the facts.

These figures for the over 69s for Oxford AZ vaccine are totally wrong and the German Gov have apologised for this error.

Why you can trust Sky News
The makers of an experimental drug, now being trialled by the NHS, say it is 100 per cent effective in protecting against symptomatic cases of the virus.

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-bre … s-12200072

This cocktail of drugs looks promising.

Does anyone besides me find it odd a drug being developed by a pharmaceutical company is being trialed by the NHS but a drug that costs $1.00 is not.

Germany will NOT approve the AstraZeneca vaccine for the over 65s

https://www.ft.com/content/e5b64f87-6f2 … 76c013a284

Vaccine roll out will be slow in DR:

From an article in Diario Libre this morning:

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/salud/astrazeneca-debe-entregar-200-millones-de-vacunas-a-siete-paises-incluida-rd-KO24086914

Information published on the pharmaceutical agreement(with Astra Zeneca) with the Dominican Republic shows that the country would receive 400,000 doses in March, 800,000 in April, the same figure in May, 700,000 in June, 1,900 (1.9m) doses of the injection in July; in August 3 million 900 thousand and in September 1 million 400 thousand.


As we are seeing in other countries the pharmaceutical companies are having problems with delivery, so it should come as no surprise if both AZ and Pfizer do not meet their planned delivery dates to DR.

What we are seeing here in the detail is that significant vaccination in DR is maybe 6 months away and that will apply to many other countries too so covid19 is here along with controls for many months ahead.

Yesterday was significant with the promising news for two other vaccines, but tempered by other news that appears to show much lower efficacy against the South African variant which is now more widespread, poses a reinfection risk and affects younger people too.

Lifestyle changes are what we all should be thinking about now. This virus will not go away from our lives easily or anytime soon. And don't be surprised if more countries restrict border entry..

Bulletin #314    New cases  1150 with day positivity 22.91%

Bulletin#315     New Cases  1155 with day positivity 13.32%

Bulletin#316     New Cases   1801  with day positivity 25.05%

Bulletin#317 

New cases reported yesterday  2,141
Day positivity 18.90%
4 week positivity 20.06%
Active cases  54,040

Hospital occupation  40%
ICU occupation  53%
Ventilator use 41%

DN 704, SD 418, Santiago 250, Espaillat 84, SPM 77, La Vega 75, Valverde 72, Puerto Plata 66, La Altagracia 66, San Juan 58, San Cristobal 55, La Romana 36, Duarte 35, Hermanas M 29, Azua 24, Peravia 18, Hato Mayor 16, Barahona 13, MTS 12. 3 provinces with zero cases Baoruco, Elias Pina and Santiago R.

This is not good news on any level.

Interesting article mostly about the process of approving treatments.  The other thread is closed so I am posting here. Lennox thanks for sharing with me.

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article … dangerous/

Is there a new (or existing) post on repatriation flights by Air Canada?

Thank you very much!

Hhhhmmm.   Business requires us to be in Panama soon, so we hope to swing over to SD for a day or two in early March to pick up our approved Cedulas, etc. 

Obviously, visiting the DR is NOT risk-free.    Still, I think the primary risk is getting stranded and the secondary risk is catching it, but we believe we can mitigate much of the infection risk.
>> We will wear N95 masks on planes and entire stay in DR, unless there are local requirements to only wear the surgical-type masks. 
>> We'll bring antibacterial wipes with us to wipe down our rental car, hotel rooms, and whatever else is needful.  We don't mind getting stared at!
>> We'll bring our own anti-bacterial soap and hand sanitizer and then wash our hands like crazy, and wear surgical gloves in high-risk places (e.g., government offices) where we must touch documents or materials 
>> We are on appropriate immune system-boosters, such as Vit D3, Zinc, etc.
>> Since malaria is a known risk in the DR, we will have with us filled prescriptions for HCQ...just in case, you know, as COVID-19 is not the only risk, right?   Our doctor will support that.  We'll also bring some tonic water with Quinine, to cover all the bases. 
>> We may do some walks in the countryside or along the shore -- but other than that and necessary visits to government offices, we will avoid restaurants and public areas. 
>> We'll generally obtain meals from UberEats or similar, but a few trips to grocery stores will be required due to certain personal dietary requirements. 
>> We will depart Santo Domingo ASAP and spend most of our visit in La Romana and/or Las Terrenas...which we understand to be lower-risk areas.

Given such a preventive approach, do you judge our risk levels to be reasonable (e.g., low)?
>> We understand we must rely on our own judgment and assume all risks as responsible adults.  There are NO guarantees of safety. 
>> I'm just looking for assessments from smart people:  ARE THE RISKS MANAGEABLE with the safety precautions described above?   

Hey, you aren't doctors, we're not doctors.  I'm NOT asking for expert medical opinions -- just opinions from intelligent, reasonable folks who are familiar with conditions on the ground in the DR.   

Your honest opinion/recommendation or comments would be appreciated.  Especially if you think I'm just plain bat-guano crazy to even consider it.

Thanks,

Jim
ExpatRusher

You have clearly thought this through.  Overall your approach is reasonable. 

Your biggest risk is what happens if you get covid.  Double check your insurance will cover you.  The govt insurance being offered is only if you stay in resorts. I believe your biggest risk is transportation when crammed into planes and waiting rooms.  I am told govt offices for residency and cedula are well regulated in terms of numbers of people.

Forget about malaria.  It's not an issue in SD or la romana or LT.   And the tonic water is readily available here and best when mixed with vodka and a slice of lime!

With the precautions you're taking Jim,
I expect you could stroll through the ICU ward and be safe !!!

Have nice visit !

Taking the recommended measures - which you plan to do to a high level - and social distancing are proven effective ways to avoid catching the virus in the absence of vaccination.

However in your travels you will be encountering perhaps the highest risk areas by flying and passing through airports where good social distancing and being contained indoors with shared air even if filtered is unavoidable. These imo are greater risks than those you will encounter in DR in the places you plan to visit taking the measures you propose. The office where expats get their cedulas is a relatively open building except for the room where you get your photographs taken but in government offices the sanitary measures are good from what I have seen.

For a short stay in Santo Domingo with freedom to move around in the hotel's gardens and a couple of open air terrace restaurants nearby plus the hotel garden restaurant may I suggest the El Embajador Hotel in Bella vista which is only 10 minutes away from where you pick up your cedulas at Plaza de Bandera. Prices are very low right now.

https://www.barcelo.com/en-us/el-embaja … edhotelmap

In Bella Vista their is very good compliance with the sanitary measures and social distancing in the local Mall and commercial outlets.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bella … 69.9405513

If you do stay in Bella Vista, lets meet for coffee -  with social distancing etc of course!

Planner, Lennox and Willie:

Thanks for the inputs, thumbs ups and appropriate cautions. 

We plan to be ultra-safe because I do have a couple of risk factors.   

Planner:  We will get together for something yet!!! 

Lennox:  thanks for the hotel recommendations.  We've stayed in Bella Vista previously, and do like the area and we think the Mall is extremely convenient and well done.  Well, maybe the food court could be better done...and it is always to warm up there!     It may be my imagination, but the folks seem a little calmer in Bella Vista than in, say, Piantini. 

For all:  Update:  Lishali says there are suddenly some concerns in some parts of the Immigration Ministry about whether residencies approved in 2020 can just be picked up in 2021 without some "further documentation," whatever than means. 
>>  Lishali is taking steps to get the correct, accurate read, and I don't want to alarm anyone else on this. 
>> DON'T GET WORRIED, UNTIL LISHALI TELLS YOU TO BE WORRIED!!! 

But until she gets it figured out...we're suddenly back on pause again.

>>sigh...<<  That was a really great ticket price....

Well darn!  Let's see what Lishali advises!

Bulletin #319  New cases reported 1,026  Day positivity 19.07% Deaths reported 22

Bulletin #320  New Cases reported  834   Day positivity  15.41% Deaths reported 16

Bulletin #321  New cases reported  1,357 Day positivity  22.30% Deaths reported 15

Bulletin #322

New cases reported yesterday 1,671
Day positivity  20.30%
4 week positivity  19.04%
Active cases  53,391
Deaths reported 28

Hospital bed occupation 35%
ICU occupation  53%
Ventialtor occupation 40%

DN  552, SD 330, Santiago 261, La Vega 92, SPM 47, La Romana 40, La Altagracia 38, Hermanas M 35, Duarte 34, Espaillat 33, Puerto Plata 32, Azua 29, MTS 21, Monsenor N 20, Sanchez Ramirez 14, Monte Cristi 12, only Pedenales and Elias Pina not reporting any cases.

Decree: President Abinader extends current measures to combat COVID-19 until February 22

With decree 61-21, the president ordered that the measures remain in force for 15 more days

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … HF24214245

No good reason to change based upon recent Bulletins including today with 1,485 news cases, 19.03% positivity, hospital and ICU bed occupancy up and another 26 deaths. I think we are now seeing the effects of the long weekend beginning to kick in.

And the death reporting is fixing many of the unreported cases over the last weeks.

Thanks for the info Lennoxnev: Somehow someway we all have to curve this thing in order to go back to some level of normalcy , I posted a comment of how much the I.M.F. is pumping money thru loans into the world economy some really ungodly amount of funds , I can not even write that many comas and ceros . We all have to cooperate on this if we want it to go away . I can tell you about myself I get up pump myself with coffee and is all day jumping thru hoops so I can relocate and be in D.R. with my wife, is not easy I simply look ahead at a brighter future for all and this is from the bottom of my heart to all. Many Blessings . Krumite

It will take time to vacinate enough people to get a handle on this.

Many countries are taking measures to avoid importing new cases of the virus mutations.

The latest are The French Caribbean islands who are banning foreign tourist entries to St Martin, St Barts, Martinique and Guadalupe. Many other islands still have strict controls and quarantine periods on arrival.

And yesterday there was a lot of news about the vaccine/test passport to travel with a few European countries now requiring that.

DR is many months away from starting the vaccination process, yet it allows easy entry in an effort I guess to try and attract as many as possible of the fewer tourists still travelling.