I’d like to believe the DR Covid data is correct but, after many winters in the DR, the one thing I’ve learned is nothing is as it seems. I’ve spent a fair bit of time in the campo and know that many elderly people simply pass away and their deaths are attributed to age. Covid infection is not always identified as the cause of death.
Since the pandemic began, the previous government‘s priority was keeping the AI tourist industry alive. The new administration is following the same path. That alone, makes the data questionable.
The Omicron BA-2 variant is now world wide. More infectious and similar to BA-1 in its intensity. Not as deadly to the vaccinated but very deadly to the unvaccinated or those with pre existing medical conditions. An average of 150,000 daily infections is expected in major Canadian cities and we have some of the highest vaccination rates in the world.
The DR like many other countries including Canada is remaining wide open and cutting back on testing and tracking. In the DR, tourists continue to flow in from many countries and still do not need a vax pass to enter and only random testing at airports. It’s just a matter of time before it spreads through the DR and the death toll rises again.
If it’s true that nobody died during the past 18 days, it’s a lull, it’s not sustainable.