COVID-19

Where can you purchase testing?

http://bing.com/covid

38,200 now in USA. As predicted it is exploding there through no coordinated federal control. 100,000 this week and much worse than China likely.

Bad for all of us.

Especially if we peak shortly due to tough lock down and can only allow entry with 14 day quarantine afterwards.

I hope this link works because the schedule of dates from Italy to UK  demonstrates what could happen when countries do not lock down their population and stop all but essential commerce:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alexguev … 13248-xjrv

The UK is behind Italy and Spain where deaths are spiraling upwards

The USA is behind the UK.

Full lock down now is needed.

PapiMoreno wrote:

Where can you purchase testing?

Protocol to follow for laboratories to test for coronavirus in the country

Only two establishments were authorized to practice it
People must have an indication from a specialist in pulmonology, infectious diseases, epidemiology or an internist

As soon as it was revealed that the Dominican health authorities had democratized the test to detect the coronavirus COVID-19, many people affected by respiratory problems have wanted to be tested in laboratories, sometimes finding themselves with refusals from they, according to complaints.

Complaints have been sent to the editorial staff of Diario Libre, claiming that they have gone to these centers and have not attended them.

People who suspect they have coronaviruses should know what protocols to take into account so that their attempt to be tested does not end in failure.

According to Wednesday statements by the Minister of Public Health, Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas, only the Reference and Amadita laboratories are authorized to carry out the analysis. In other words, no other laboratory in the country can do this test. Only with them, the institution signed an agreement, which set the cost of the test at 4,300 pesos. No more money should be paid.

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … NP17810836

I've just seen TUI Fly are operating today from POP to BRU-normal schedule in spite of Covid-19


Ducketts

I see the Russians have sent several teams to Italy to assist their doctors.  The plane is about to land at a military base.

Ducketts

Government strengthens measures to prevent the spread and spread of the coronavirus COVID-19

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … PI17864597

Government orders suspension of call center work

https://listindiario.com/economia/2020/ … all-center

The Minister of the Presidency, Gustavo Montalvo, reported this afternoon that the work of the call center is suspended.

The Government also recommended closing the chambers of commerce and other companies whose activities are not essential. It also arranged new hours for public offices.

Last Wednesday the Ministry of Labor instructed employers whose establishments qualify to remain open to make their working hours more flexible and to implement, as far as possible, remote work to avoid crowding.

Despite the measures, some workers, especially from free zones and call centers, denounced through social networks that their employers were not implementing the necessary measures.

The new measures were the result of a meeting between President Danilo Medina and the High-Level Commission for the Prevention and Control of Coronavirus.

How are they going to handle closing call centers? For the banks?  For the electrical companies?  For claro and altice?  For overseas contracts?  This is a big big deal.

I think they are reacting instead of respnding now!

Banks will only be open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from this Monday

The services will be carried out from Monday to Friday

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … LI17866728

This is fascinating to follow from the States.  We have our own problems, of course, but retain an interest in the DR.

Praying for all!

Sorry but the post was not accurate.

Todays 10am briefing:

Cases now up to 245 and increase of 43 with 30 more in the capital. Still 3 deaths total.

57% men.

243 under observation.

According to the Minister of Public Health, in the National District there are 108 cases; in the Santo Domingo province, 39; in Santiago 30 and in the province Duarte, 17.

He also indicated that 270 people are being followed for having a history of travel to countries with coronavirus transmission or contact with people in these circumstances.

Lots of videos online of people breaking curfew and ignoring requirements to social distance.  Morons,  Idiots,  irresponsible louts.  I have stronger words but they are not allowed on here.

IF you see people breaking curfew report them.

If there are parties or gathering in your neighborhood, report them!

We are all in this together!

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … =blueconic

Map in this article show the spread after today's bulletin.

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … JJ17876438

Police out arresting people who violate curfew. They imprison and impound vehicles apparently.

Can you kindly confirm the curfew is from 2000 hours till 0600 hours

Thanks

Ducketts

Yes
That’s the curfew

I read that if you are driving....
Your car is impounded until the 15 day emergency period is over
April 3

You can be on the streets driving IF you have a reason - an airline ticket would work.  But essential services work or going to a hospital or clinic in an emergency also is allowed.

Here is an interesting translated article in Listin Diario today about the measures taken in Puerto Rico which are slightly less drastic than ours:

https://listindiario.com/las-mundiales/ … o-contagio

Strict measures in P.Rico against COVID-19 favor low contagion

Puerto Rico is one of the territories in America that took the earliest and strictest measures to stop the expansion of the coronavirus, an initiative that has favored a very low number of infected and only two deaths.

Health authorities reported on Monday that so far in Puerto Rico there have been 2 deaths and a figure of 31 infected, figures in line with much of the Caribbean, where, with exceptions, the spread of the virus is limited, at least if it is Compare with the current epicenter of the pandemic, Europe.

In the francophone, anglophone and territories linked to the Caribbean Netherlands, Trinidad and Tobago is one of the most affected countries, but with still a modest 51 cases and no deaths, while today the Turks and Caicos Islands announced its first case.

Analysts emphasize that the low incidence of COVID-19 in these areas of the Caribbean should be taken with reservations, since very few tests are carried out in these countries.

According to experts, the relative low incidence of COVID-19 in Puerto Rico is due to the rapid reaction of the authorities and, moreover, to confinement.

The Governor of Puerto Rico, Wanda Vázquez, decreed a curfew between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. local time on the 15th, as well as the partial closure of non-essential shops and businesses during the day, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, measure will be in force, at least, until the next day 30.

Vázquez's announcement, a much more severe measure than those established at that time for any other part of the continental United States, occurred when, according to health authorities, the island had registered four confirmed cases.

The governor indicated that the measure was adopted to reinforce the state of emergency that it had imposed on March 12.

Not all accepted the strict measure of the Executive well, reason why the governor reacted before the dissatisfied jurists to assure that it is a matter of preserving the health of the population.

The president of the Puerto Rico Bar Association, Edgardo Román, spoke to indicate that it is a martial law that drastically limits fundamental rights.

For its part, the Victoria Citizen Movement assured that in order to face the health crisis caused by COVID-19, a "healthy and non-military" vision is needed.

Michelle González, "infectious medicine" doctor and associate professor of Medicine at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), told Efe today that, in her opinion, the relative progress of the expansion of COVID-19 in Puerto Rico, at least in Compared to other territories, it is due to the rapid intervention of the Executive.

"The decision -of the curfew and prohibition to circulate on the streets during daylight hours- was made on time and well ahead of the United States," said the doctor, who performs her professional work at Hospital Auxilio Mutuo, the largest in Puerto Rico.

González recognized that the measures adopted by the governor were not easy, especially since Puerto Rico is a country of Latin culture in which "everyone wants to kiss and hug."

Despite acknowledging the governor's anticipation, González noted that he anticipates that hundreds of COVID-19 infections will be reached in Puerto Rico next week.

The doctor stressed that the crowds registered over the past weekend in many supermarkets on the island by the population in fear of shortages will surely take their toll in the coming days.

"Although hundreds of infections may be registered, the situation will be very different from that of the United States or Europe," said the specialist, after sending a message from the population to stay in their homes to avoid the spread of contagion.

The fear of contagion by COVID-19 on the island grows, which is why different social groups have been insisting on the need to "close" Puerto Rico by air, a social demand that the governor cannot satisfy once they are the US federal authorities responsible for managing airports.

As in other countries, there are regions or municipalities that go beyond the measures adopted by their governments, the case of San Juan, which brings together a large part of the island's population.

In the capital, tests are being launched today without having to get out of the car, a measure already in development in some states of the USA, Spain or Germany, among others.[/i]

USA in comparison as of now 4.50 ET is (bing) 42,607 confirmed cases and 577 deaths with 178 recovered.

DR has just had it's first 3 recovered!  3 to 4 weeks it took.

UK has just gone on lock down.

UK PM Boris Johnson has just announced a major ramping up of coronavirus measures.

Here are the major points of his speech:

From tonight, people in Britain will be allowed to leave their homes for only “very limited purposes” - shopping for basic necessities; for one form of exercise a day; for any medical need; and to travel to and from work when “absolutely necessary”
People are warned not to meet friends or family members who they do not live with
Shopping is only permitted for essentials like food and medicine, and people are advised to do it “as little as you can”
Police have powers to enforce the rules, including through fines and dispersing gatherings
All shops selling non-essential goods, such as clothing and electronic stores, are ordered to close
Libraries, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and places of worship are to close
All gatherings of more than two people in public - excluding people you live with - are banned
All social events, including weddings and baptisms are banned
Funerals are not included in the new restrictions
Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed
Restrictions “under constant review” and will be checked again in three weeks. They will be relaxed “if the evidence shows we

Far too slow but he realized that this is the only real way to control the virus spread.

For those that hope for another way other than lock down this is an interesting read about South Korea and the challenges it has faced and still faces and they were ready from Day 1!

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52001837

There is a misconception going about that many of the cases of covd19 are mild and have limited effect....yes some 80% cases are mild - but don't be mislead as to what this means - read this:

There is a wide misconception of what a 'mild' case of COVID-19 looks like. It can be ugly and brutal.
People who get "mild" cases of COVID-19 often still experience a range of uncomfortable and even painful symptoms.

Cases in general are categorized as "asymptomatic," "mild," "severe," or "critical." Studies have suggested that about 80% of infections by the novel coronavirus are mild, but that simply refers to people who don't need to be hospitalized. Mild cases can also develop into severe cases if the viral infections worsen.......

https://www.businessinsider.com/mild-co … ugh-2020-3


If you get infected you could endanger others with asymptomatic or mild too.

We really don't want to run the risk so 'lock down'.

Great info. 

On behalf of myself and everyone else here, thank you for sharing well written and timely articles. Thanks for keeping it real! 

I am working hard to keep various companies afloat right now!  I have some.working from home and others waiting for things to get better. 

I am revamping my main company to do disinfecting work and we have hit the ground running.  We will be.limited to Santo Domingo as there is a.lot to do. 

Later as places like churches are allowed to reopen, as.well as community centers etc we will offer at cost pricing for those types of organizations!  We will want to do what we can to help the.less fortunate. At times we lose sight of how furtunate we are!

Currently I have a list of 50 people wanting to work and make this all happen.

All of.us can do what we can to help out!

Thanks 'planner'

My concern is that may expats don't read the local media and a link often isn't opened by the reader so translating the article and posting all or part will get people focused. There is still misinformation on other anglophile social media here, because many posters don't live here. I do as you do too.

I am an optimist and sincerely believe that the DR government has now got its act together and is tightening the lock down as needed but most importantly giving a daily update for the nation. And that needs to be shared. The DR approach is to flatten that curve of imported cases and contacts and peak asap. Lock down is the only way to do that from where all but S Korea started from.

Here is another new article in Diario Libre demonstrating the importance of keeping ones distance and making the public know:

The infectólogo Clemente Terrero said Monday that the crush of people in banks and places where services are offered is a BREACH measures taken by the authorities to prevent the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19.

"If we continue like this, we are not going to achieve the objective: to prevent this virus from continuing to spread, " said Terreno, when consulted by this means.

The doctor estimated that when the established period of quarantine, social isolation and curfew ends, if the crowds continue, there may be a reactivation of the contagion in the Dominican Republic.

Banking takes action: grace periods and free online services to avoid crowds
Association of Banks asks citizens to avoid crowds in branches
In the morning of today it was evident how dozens of people attended the banks without keeping the required distance to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. Even, the Association of Banks asked the population for their cooperation in the application of the prevention protocol.

Some financial institutions are giving grace periods and free online services to avoid crowds.

The Ministry of Public Health reported Monday morning that there are 245 cases of coronavirus contagion in the country. Of these, 41 are imported, 34 local and the rest are under investigation for their determination.

Clemente Terrero indicated that some people may think that they do not have the new coronavirus because they do not have symptoms, but noted that it must be understood that the incubation period for the virus is long, and there may be people asymptomatic with COVID-19 and infect others. .

He recommended that people not leave if it is not necessary and, if he continues, he said, the Dominican Government should take more stringent measures in this regard.

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … DG17881266


DR is ahead of many countries whose governments are not communicating with clarity or real purpose. and this is a so called banana republic jjjjj.

I have been busy at work too this past week remotely and at home. Not gone out since last Tuesday but tomorrow will venture to Downtown Centre Carrefour to shop early in safety and with less crowds. But i have found time to post in my breaks.

My UK daughter's bank has allowed mtge payments to lapse

She rec'd a notice to that effect

Well the president has eased up a bit the night restrictions to allow those who need to work to do so.  Includes food suppliers,.some transportation and needed services like garbage pickup!

but.....

Government prohibits meetings in grocery stores and the consumption of alcoholic beverages
Gustavo Montalvo said that they will be able to buy the drinks, but they will have to consume them at home

The Dominican Government banned meetings in grocery stores on Monday night, as well as the consumption of alcoholic beverages in these centers, as preventive measures to prevent the spread and spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

At a press conference at the National Palace, Gustavo Montalvo, Minister of the Presidency and president of the High Level Commission for Monitoring of Coronavirus , explained that these establishments will be able to dispatch the products, but their purchasers will not be able to consume it within them, this because crowds have been shown to lead to the spread of the disease.

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … CG17886884

Government says coronavirus sufferers cannot be in their homes
Gustavo Montalvo reported that hospitals are being enabled

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … JG17886807

So the first is to close down colmados acting like bars. 

The second will overwhelm hospitals as this continues to grow. 

There was also an announcement that Altice, Claro etc cannot disconnect services for non-payment and cannot charge interest etc until this is over.  Communications just became essential services.

Today's update:

312 cases now - by my reckoning an increase of 67

(that was likely from yesterdays report of the number under observation based upon positive to negative testing rates. At least it is not doubling day by day and we will understand much better by the end of the week. - my opinion)

From Listin Diario:

DR Deaths to Coronavirus Increase to Six

The Minister of Public Health, Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas, said that so far there have been 6 fatalities due to the COVID-19 coronavirus in the country.

Among the victims is fashion designer Yenny Polanco.

The first fatality was a Dominican, resident in Spain, who was a carrier of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and had tuberculosis.

The second deceased is an 80-year-old Spanish citizen, who made a stopover from France to Spain, to reach the Dominican Republic.

The third fatality, who died last Friday, was a 51-year-old Dominican who was treated at a clinic in San Francisco de Macorís, Duarte province.

1.9% death rate at present.

Likewise, the minister reported that 661 suspected cases were ruled out with laboratory tests.

The National District continues to be the area of ​​the country in which the highest number of cases has been registered with 137 , followed by Santiago with 44, Santo Domingo with 40 and the Duarte province with 29 confirmed cases.

That's a big increase again overnight! 

I have been told by a friend - he has been sick since last week and seriously ill since Saturday. He went to the lab to get tested. They require doctors authorization so he went to the clinic.  Doctor.nit there so come back some other time! 

He is walking around spreading.infection.  he has CASH for the test and cannot get it.

So he went home!   

If this is a foreigner with money and full insurance, imagine howany others walking around with the virus!

I went out with my wife this morning In Santo Domingo DN for a shopping run and to pay bills.

We chose Carrefour in Downtown Centre and it was both safe and quiet and every body is keeping their distance and there is widespread use of gloves (available in the fruit and veg Department for shoppers) face masks and hand gel. Your trolley is disinfected before use by an attendant. The roads (30 De Mayo, Nunez, Sarasota and Independencia are very quiet and without 'carros publica' but the occasional taxi). We saw that Altice in Downtown centre was quiet so paid our bills quickly.

We decided to go to Bella Vista Mall to pay 'luz' and rent at La Nacional and draw cash from the ATM at Scotiabank. There were quite a few people going to banks there and there were queues with everybody spaced apart by six feet or so. Very regimented and again people distancing was evident everywhere. It was super quick to withdraw from the ATM and nobody was in La Nacional so in and out quickly. Hand gels everywhere we went.

Back home we have a regime to hand wash immediately on entering our apartment then change and wash clothes then discard all packing, wash hands again and disinfecting the surfaces we touched. We are trying to keep our apartment our safe haven. Wife is super particular.

Dominicans are taking this real seriously is my observation and that's a bit like those from the Far East. Westerners could learn a lot from this behaviour.

I do hope it pays dividends and the sacrifice Dominicans are making will see the rates of infection level off and soon drop which is the expectation.

'planner' is right about the protocol to get tested not being good but it  is a standard one and it is such a pity that DR has followed the health insurance model of the USA . This is not as easy as it should be. DR is not a wealthy country and is relying on China for test kits and for which we must be thankful.

Have you been to non upper class areas?   I guarantee it is very different there.

Hundreds of photos online of massive lineups and no social distancing going on.  In some areas crowds for any and all reasons. 

If you must shop - and we all need to at some point - stick to places where you are known or is upper class. 

Not far from me are barrios.  It's survival of the fittest mentality in many.  Others want to do right and lack resources!

The barrios along Independencia were dead too today.

Managuayabo where some family members live is the same. My wife's mother lives in Santo Domingo East and reports exactly the same.

We have sensationalists online and one such lawyer in Puerto Plata got arrested for posting false information about changes to the curfew last evening and social media started spreading those rumours widely.

On another social media site someone posted pictures of the Santo Domingo agricultural produce market....but the video was old.

We should all stick with and respect the government reporting and advice being given. It is daily now with plenty of detail and the presidents committee is meeting regular and adjusting measures and advising the public.

I have seen with my very own eyes the lineups outside banks, grocery stores etc. 

In many areas social distancing is not in effect. Dominicans think, and some.expats, that visiting a neighbor for coffee is ok.  That congregating on the street and chatting is ok.  It's not.

I am not suggesting we believe everything posted online. Far from it.  But don't even start to think you can believe this govt, or any other govt, as being fully honest about this!

The lineups outside banks/etc might be that they limit the number of customers inside - to maintain the distance rule

I saw that at Crol pharmacy in Sosua and hear the banks are doing it

Looks full outside but empty -ish inside

I understand that. 

Have you seen the people waiting outside maintaining 6 feet between?  Oh hell no that is not how Dominicans do it honey.

My wife went to the pharmacy today.I pinned a note on her back and front which read"2 meters distance please" in spanish of course, and she left. It is only a short walk and hardly a soul out, even driving, but there was a short line at the pharmacy. I followed and watched. Several arrived after her and when they approached, I could see them read then back up and proceed to tell others around them. That was good to see. We needed rubbing alcohol as she has a gallon of aloe vera gel to make our own hand sanitizer with and give some to other relatives.....

Awesome idea.  I love it.

planner
Today 17:34:43
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Santo Domingo

I understand that.

Have you seen the people waiting outside maintaining 6 feet between?  Oh hell no that is not how Dominicans do it honey.




Well,. YES, I have seen it..........

Historically, you may be right........
Nowadays, they're keeping their distance from what I have seen

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … HP17900788

The map in this article shows the spread today around the country of the confirmed cases.

29 new in Santo Domingo DN and 1 in the rest of Santo Domingo. Big jump in Santiago (+14) but the most significant area is perhaps Duarte (+12) where the foolishness of one woman returning from Italy and not following isolation rules has cause a lot of local transmission and fear. No change to many parts of the country and some places without cases. Samana +1, Puerto Plata +2, La Altagracia(PC region plus Higuey)+4, La Romana +1, San Pedro +4

Duarte which includes San Fransisco de Macoris has got to be a big worry now with such a big jump in the last two reports and isolation beyond the public transport ban might be a good idea.

Interesting.

Another question to be asked is whether the government should be reporting new and also active cases = all reported cases less deaths and less recovered patients. This will be a more important statistical figure in understanding if control is being achieved. Extreme example China now has 4735 active cases yet 81,171 total.

Sorry today they were standing in a big giant group,  i did not get out of my car I carried on.  NO thank you.

This was at the bank today before noon!

This is an excellent new BBC article reporting on numerous cases of research on whether warm weather will kill off covid19.

A must read for those that have chosen the tropical life and fascinated why it is the northern hemisphere that is suffering so much compared to more southerly regions and the tropics.

Will warm weather really kill off Covid-19?

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/2020 … l-covid-19