COVID-19

Brewpub56 wrote:

I think you mean you ARE fully vaccinated. congrats!

Oops! yeah...that should have said NOW, not "not"!

Excellent news. Can they keep it up?

The country breaks vaccination record, according to vice president

https://noticiassin.com/pais/el-pais-ro … ta-1106017

The Vice President of the Republic, Raquel Peña, reported that the country broke the vaccination record, managing to apply 168,871 vaccines until this Wednesday.

Through his Twitter account Peña released the information “We started the first day of the Great Community Vaccination Day with the excellent news that yesterday Vacúnate RD we broke the record again. 168,871 vaccines were administered, of which 58,545 were second doses. Thank you, Dominican people. Now we are going for more!

This Thursday began a community vaccination day against COVID-19 which will run from 8:00 in the morning to 4:00 in the afternoon from this Thursday to Sunday in Santo Domigno, the National District, San Cristóbal , Azúa and Peravia.

I was in the capital this morning and there were long queues at the many temporary vaccination stations I saw  as the vaccination day campaign gets underway - but alas no social distancing!

They received a million extra doses this afternoon from Sinovac and could be used up quickly (1.8m now in stock to use) and they have  a lot of second doses to give now. So many more doses needed from Sinovac - a million just to provide all the second second doses needed yesterday and by early next week with new recipients that could be nearer 3 million.

Plan Nacional de Vacunación
Acumulados al 02 de Junio de 2021
3,424,187
Primera dosis
1,201,200
Segunda dosis
4,625,387
Total dosis aplicadas
1,201,200

They are making good progress

RD has purchased 10.7 million Sinovac vaccines from China

Yesterday another million arrived and there are 4.2 million to import; Vice President Raquel Peña said more doses could be bought

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … HF26677132

With the shipment of one million Sinovac vaccines brought from China on Thursday, the Dominican Republic has imported 6.2 million doses from that eastern nation, out of a total of 10.7 million that are reserved.

That is, 4.5 million anticovid drugs are still pending import to continue with the National Vaccination Plan against COVID-19, as confirmed by Vice President Raquel Peña, who is also in charge of coordinating the Health Cabinet.

However, the official clarified that, depending on the circumstances, the government could buy more vaccines from China.

Can anyone here explain why DR is well into their 3rd wave now?
What causes these waves and why hasn't the country learned from the 1st or 2nd wave?

Is it safe to say that a 4th and 5th wave will be inevitable?

I would say lack of vaccines and variants of covid arriving.

Plus non compliance, a feeling amongst the young nothing applies to them. The variants disproportionately effect younger people it seems.

Our hospitalizations are also effected by the use of the hookuhs.  Apparently sharing one both helps spread the virus and puts lungs at high risk.  Doctors are reporting many young hookuh users in ICU.

Firstly, I believe this to be the fourth wave. The initial one back in March/April, then July/August then December/ January and now  May to?

The government has to accept much blame for giving the wrong messages. Last summer the old government relaxed all controls at election time. Then this one relaxed controls prior to and during the festive period. And again this time controls were relaxed and the message was we are coming to the end now with vaccinations.

Add with ignorance for a large part of the population and little enforcement or penalties and you create ideal conditions for repeat events. Vaccination alone will not stop future waves with variants. Education and enforcement of hopefully lesser controls will. Allowing teteos and the use of hookah must be dealt with.

You have only got to look at the UK to see that despite high levels of vaccination you get rebounds. Chile is also a good example too.

We can get back to somewhere near normal if we all accept some changes in how we live which reduce transmission of infectious viruses such ad covid19.

Plus add in the fact that the only vaccine available to the general public is the lowest efficacy rated vaccine on the market and it comes from the same country that seems to have created the virus in the first place.  Can't imagine why people don't want to take it...duh!

Bring in some Moderna and Phizer and watch the vaccination rate change!

I am sure they would have brought in  other vaccines   sooner iF THEY COULD HAVE!  They tried, they  did their best!  They got what was available.

With Mother’s Day last Sunday expect another number up in the couple of weeks. I know of several  people in Miami that went down to see family over the long weekend.

Curfew and other measures review tomorrow morning.

The Health Cabinet will meet this Sunday to analyze the effectiveness of measures

https://listindiario.com/la-republica/2 … de-medidas

The Vice President of the Republic, Raquel Peña, revealed during an interview on the radio program "Enterados" that the Government Health Cabinet, which she chairs, will meet tomorrow Sunday to study recent data on the levels of contagion of COVID-19 from the country.

In fact, Peña argued that precisely that date was chosen to have a more complete information panorama, and thus discuss the subject with better information.

"We are going to meet tomorrow Sunday to give a little more time, to see what the behavior really is, first of the contagion curve (of the coronavirus)," said the vice president.

In addition to this variable, the head of the Health Cabinet assured that others are taken into account, such as the level of hospitalization for the virus and the behavior that citizens have maintained with respect to health protocols.

Likewise, Peña asserted that after the aforementioned meeting, the results and decisions that are made will be announced.

"We definitely have to stop this pandemic and the Dominican must understand and has been understanding, according to what we have seen, and we are going to continue what the result of that great evaluation would be," he said.

This cabinet meeting takes place under the framework of a series of new government restrictions, put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and due to the high level of hospital occupancy it has caused.

Among the measures imposed are stricter curfew hours for the provinces that have the highest incidence of COVID, beginning at 6:00 p.m. and ending at 5:00 a.m. from Monday to Friday, and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 am (with three extra hours of free transit) for those demarcations.

You can make up your own mind what they should do by comparing their own figures the day before the last meeting and tomorrow (to me it looks like they have to continue with strict or stricter rules nationally because the trend of data is getting progressively worse everywhere, maybe exempt Samana but so few tests there):

                                                   Last Mondays Bulletin     Todays Bulletin

4 week positivity                                   15.32%                   16.74%
Active cases                                           48,581                     51,785
Hospital beds in use                           1195(45%)              1329(51%)
ICU beds in use                                      410(68%)               432(72%)
Ventilators in use                                   270(58%)               305(63%)

4 week positivity and total cases for the 7 exempt provinces from tougher curfew:

Duarte                                                     9.13%                      10.97%       74(54)
Espaillat                                                   6.87%                      8.00%         65(54)
La Altagracia                                          17.71%                     20.11%      200(174)
La Vega                                                   11.03%                     12.99%      85(55)
PP                                                              3.09%                       3.73%       74(60)
Samana                                                    1.87%                       3.09%        10(9)
Santiago                                                   10.67%                    12.18%       327(271) 

Case totals are each bulletin reported number added and in brackets difference between total on last day and first day.

Let's see what they do.

778 arrests overnight for violating curfew!   

Nothing is improving here.

planner wrote:

778 arrests overnight for violating curfew!   

Nothing is improving here.

Except the number of arrests.... let's see that continue

Went up overnight too. As expected for a Sunday!

868 arrests overnight

Government extends curfew until June 16

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … DG26753770

The President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, issued Decree 364-21 that provides that the curfew and the other measures provided in articles 5 to 20 of Decree number 349-21, of May 30, 2021, are extended until Wednesday June 16, 2021, inclusive.

It is recalled that 349-21, which establishes mobility restrictions according to the level of contagion and the rate of positivity of COVID-19 in the demarcations.

In 24 provinces and the National District, the curfew hours will be from Monday to Friday, from 6:00 in the afternoon to 5:00 in the morning , and on weekends, from 3:00 in the afternoon to 5:00 in the morning.


The provinces in which this measure will govern are Azua, Bahoruco, Barahona, Dajabón, Elías Piña, El Seibo, Hato Mayor, Hermanas Mirabal, Independencia, La Romana, María Trinidad Sánchez, Monsignor Nouel and Montecristi.

Similarly, in Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, San Cristóbal, San José de Ocoa, San Juan, San Pedro de Macorís, Sánchez Ramírez, Santiago Ramírez, Santo Domingo and Valverde.

In all the aforementioned provinces there will be free movement of an additional three hours every day, for people to reach their homes.

On the other hand, a different schedule is established for the curfew in the provinces with the lowest level of contagion and the rate of positivity.

No change.

The DR government is determined to vaccinate it's way out of this crisis:

First batch of Pfizer vaccines would arrive in the country this weekend, according to Public Health

Pfizer vaccines will inoculate minors

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … CG26759139

The Minister of Public Health, Daniel Rivera, announced this Tuesday that the first batch of Pfizer vaccines is expected to arrive in the country for the weekend, with which they will be inoculated over 12 years.

He also added that from this first batch, each week the country will receive the biological from this pharmaceutical company.

"On Friday, possibly from Pfizer, the first batch comes and from then on weekly they reach 10 million," explained Rivera.

The Health Cabinet studies ways to accelerate the National Vaccination Plan

The Government prepares to receive more vaccines

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … IG26758527

The Health Cabinet, led by Vice President Raquel Peña, met this Tuesday at the National Palace to study issues related to the receipt of more vaccines against COVID-19, the acceleration of the National Vaccination Plan and the levels of hospital occupancy.

The team appointed by President Luis Abinader to define policies regarding the management of the pandemic in the country, coordinated the preparations regarding the receipt of new batches of vaccines.

The vice presidency reported on Twitter that they are evaluating measures to accelerate the National Vaccination Plan.

So are they out actively vaccinating in the Barrios? I guess my point was that is if these are the people who are still not cooperating will they ever?

I have read where a few hotel/resorts are requiring their employees be vaccinated. Wondering if maybe that is where the government should focus their efforts? That and other public employees? I'm  not there,  and I am certainly no expert. I don't think they will be able to make vaccination mandatory. I keep hoping the US will send more vaccine your way.

They are vaccinating everywhere and the rate of progress is still good after the 'vaccination long weekend' when over 500k got vaccinated.

I don't think you can fault the governments vaccination effort here. But you can fault them on expecting results too soon and not focusing equally on other controls earlier.

They have all the music stars backing vaccination and there is plenty of media coverage.

Now various organizations are saying you must present vaccination card to use - the largest public transport union CONATRA from 14th June and UASD to students. And the religious leaders are applying pressure to the religious groups oposing vaccination.

It is going well voluntarily right now but it will take time to have an effect and they need  to get to that 70% (of total population) at least.

It's good to know there is progress.

Lots of deaths being reported over past few days. Rumours of under-reporting.

Shortages of oxygen being reported too

Hang in there folks, it will soon be over...

Does anyone know where and if they are giving the Astra Zeneca vaccine near La Romana?

The Virus is spreading all around the country and there are more cases now outside SD as was to be expected after Mothers Day kicked in.

La Altagracia (East Coast) now has one of the highest positivities in the country yet no strict curfew.

"Without airport control, the curfew will not solve the health crisis," says Domínguez Brito

https://eldia.com.do/sin-control-en-aer … uez-brito/

"Without airport control, the curfew will not solve the health crisis due to Covid-19", as expressed the member of the Political Committee of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), Francisco Domínguez Brito about the announcement made by the Government that maintains the curfew  and all other restrictions on the Dominican population.

“On the one hand, enormous personal and economic sacrifices are being requested from Dominicans to reduce the incidence of the pandemic and, on the other, any foreigner is allowed to enter the country without having undergone a test. Today, only 5 countries in the world do not require any proof to enter their territory: Mexico, Costa Rica, Albania, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. We understand, of course, the importance of tourism for our country, however, we cannot carelessly support a sector, at the expense of the health of the Dominicans, " said the former attorney.

Francisco Domínguez Brito  expressed that it is a priority to establish controls at our airports and borders, because the curfew will never be enough, as long as the entry of the virus from abroad is not managed.

“All the efforts made by the Dominican people will be in vain, as long as the entry of new cases is not stopped. On the contrary, we must opt ​​for a safe tourism, which brings tranquility to our population and also to our visitors. The opposite, as we are already seeing, is bread for today and hunger for tomorrow ”, he asserted.

"The truth is that the false idea promoted by the government that COVID-19 was" controlled ", even before the vaccination plan began, is exposing the Dominican people to all variants of the coronavirus, with the dramatic consequences that we are living. The indiscriminate opening of our borders is what has allowed the English, Brazilian, Indian, South African variant to arrive, many of them with a much higher degree of contagion than the first variants. As if that were not enough, some have up to three times more fatality in the young population.

That is why we now see overflowing hospitals and families suffering the drama of getting a bed. Nor was control put on the number of people who went to hotels, on the contrary, Dominicans were encouraged to go into debt to go to hotels, and we all saw the videos of the agglomeration of people. There was no control in bars, discotheques, concerts ”expressed the former Senator for the Republic.

Francisco Domínguez Brito said that he was full of sadness and indignation to see the situation that Dominican families are experiencing, as a result of the collapse facing our health system, and in the face of this situation he sent his solidarity and affection to all the people who have lost a being dear or have someone sick at the moment.

“Faced with these evidences and in the face of the collapse of the health system, we ask ourselves: On what scientific recommendations are they based to take some measures and not others? What is the government's plan? Why is the root of the problem not attacked? Our proposal to advance in this direction is clear and its application is possible ”indicated Francisco Dominguez Brito.

Proposals by Francisco Domínguez Brito for the control of COVID-19 in the country:
- Requirement of PCR or antigen tests on arrival at the airport or carry out the tests at the airport.

-Genomic surveillance of the positive cases that enter the country, to know the variants that are present.

-Return the policy of free access to PCR tests with the indication of a doctor.

-More control of capacity and sanitary protocols in tourist establishments.

-That the measures that allowed in the first months of the pandemic to quickly locate the sources of contagion be resumed: epidemiological surveillance, community operations in the areas of greatest positivity and home monitoring of positive cases, before they develop seriousness.

“Ultimately, we demand that the government stop improvising and putting all responsibility for the pandemic on the shoulders of Dominican citizens. We demand, on behalf of the population, that all necessary measures be taken to protect the lives of our people. To prevent the entry of new variants of the virus through our borders. That the recommendations that the whole world has implemented are followed, and, above all, that the health of the Dominican men and women be put first, above any economic interest, ”said the former Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.
I doubt if it will happen but he is correct.

For Gaspesie,

There are only a few AZ doses left for first shots and they are in the capital. I read that the period between AZ dose will be 60 to 90 days:

Get to know the centers where they are applying the first dose of the COVID vaccine

Despite the fact that the Health Cabinet established that as of this Thursday only a second dose of the COVID vaccine will be applied to people who received the first, at the Olympic Center and the UASD they are placing the first injection of AstraZeneca to those who come looking for inoculation.

The measure by the authorities occurs just at a time when there are only about 989 thousand vaccines against the coronavirus in the country and when the interest of the population grows to inoculate themselves due to the fear of losing rights, such as entering public spaces and using the collective transport.

"With Sinovac we have the following management, the first dose with Sinovac is not being given, only those people who have the first dose are being inoculated," said Victor Arias, in charge of Vaccination at the Olympic Center.

He said that of Astrazeneca they have about 400 doses.

This Wednesday the health authorities reported that until new batches of vaccines against covid-19 reach Dominican soil, the Government has decided to apply exclusively, as of today, second doses, in order to guarantee the drug to those who are they have inoculated with the former.

The information was offered yesterday by the Health Cabinet, coordinated by Vice President Raquel Peña, highlighting that thanks to the response of the population and the execution of VacúnateRD personnel, 5 million 656 thousand 548 doses of vaccines have been applied so far. covid-19 in the country.

For this reason, the vice president communicated that giving importance to this data is that priority will be given to those who in the next few days should receive their second dose.

Through a press release, Vice President Raquel Peña congratulated the entire Dominican people for their “enthusiastic” participation since the beginning of the National Vaccination Plan, all the health personnel and the hundreds of volunteers who are cooperating to meet the objective raised since last February, at the same time, which guaranteed the second doses to those who require them.

Maybe they don't let Dominicans leave or return by air without a negative test or proof of vaccination.

US citizens have to produce a negative test upon return to the US. Even if fully vaccinated. And masks are mandatory in airports and on planes.

The worry here is the 'entry'

An exit test doesn't prevent the virus from coming in

From the most recent Cntral Bank figures for April, there were 369k arrivals and most arrived at SDQ (146K) during this month. 74k arrived in STI and 125k in PUJ.

Of that number only 137k were from the USA and some of that number will be Dominicans with US immigration status.

This is not a problem about Americans where there is good levels of vaccination.

It is a problem because people are arriving from all around the globe without any health checks to support a still weak tourism industry which is heavily reliant on domestic tourists.

These arrivals are the source of variants coming here and may be responsible in part for the uptick in cases.

Will proof of vaccination or a virus test stop reduce arrivals significantly? I don't think so. Tourism is booming in some Caribbean islands with health checks and especially the high end resorts. Follow the money. Tourists prefer to know they are safe where they travel is my hunch.

Yep. But the internal DR infection rate is high. And if Dominicans are leaving to go to NY/MIA they are bringing it back to us. Maybe Dominicans don't fly if they are not vaccinated. And, if they have to come back proving negative, that helps the DR. That could be a vaccination carrot.

Tourism is lifeblood in the DR. As the more developed nations, who tend to be the tourists, move toward higher vaccination rates, anti body rates, masking on planes,  and being forced to prove we are clean before the US lets us back in, perhaps outside influences aren't the DR'S biggest problem?

It will be interesting if the airlines start using vaccination status as a marketing tool.

But as the figures indicate there are higher in flows to SDQ and STI where most 'Dominicans' (citizens and residents of other countries) arrive and they migrate to all parts of the country including a large number to greater Santo Domingo.

With very little genomic testing we now know that several variants have arrived here. Yes, they arrived on aircraft from somewhere.

When will the Indian Delta variant arrive? There are no checks like the USA has so it will probably arrive here.

Why should DR be different to the USA and Europe in not having checks?

At Easter we only had about 3500k tourist arrivals a day. Ask for a vaccination certificate or virus test is a simple solution to take arrivals out of the transmission equation. It won't impact an already suppressed tourism industry much more and will create confidence. DR is playing with fire for a low return AI market.

What will damage tourism badly will be if the virus continues to propogate rapidly in the East Coast province of La Altagracia which now has one of the highest positivities in the country and especially if new variants are found.

I don't believe this will happen but what the PLD politician (potential presidential candidate) said makes sense to me as part of a plan to get a handle on this current situation which is very damaging to the economy not to mention healthcare.

Somewhere in there is an answer - if not THE answer.

Remember, PUJ normally has ~65% of the air traffic arrivals
Not these days....

These are not tourists bringing the virus in - IMO
Add to that - tourist don't  mix w/ the general public much
Returning Doms do