Public Health Minister optimistic on progress with Covid-19 numbers
Gregariousness of Dominicans in NY makes Washington Heights a virus hotspot
Inmate tests positive at La Victoria jail
Two children dead from coronavirus in DR
Dr. Cruz Jiminián discharged to continue recovery at home
11 Police catch coronavirus while on the job
Four mayor-elects are sick with Covid-19
No domestic travel during Holy Week
Public Health Minister announces new labs for testing
Corruption in times of the coronavirus
Congress to meet to decide on the extension of the state of emergency
Country shutdown wreaks havoc on workers
Minister of Hacienda: No need to line up for Solidaridad cards
How the Stay at Home and FASE programs work
The donations are rolling to help the nation beat Covid-19
Dominicans who were caught abroad begin to return
The mayor closed their marketplace; they went elsewhere
Detained or seized vehicles will remain impounded until curfew ends
Promese to provide controversial hydroxychloroquine to treat coronavirus
Coronavirus? Don’t forget the hurricanes!
Juan Luis Guerra releases “Thank you!”
José Antonio Rodríguez composes “When All Is Over” to give hope
Public Health Minister optimistic on progress with Covid-19 numbers
The official numbers show the percentage of increase in positive cases and the numbers of deaths have leveled off. Public Health Minister, Dr. Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas, on Friday, 3 April 2020 pointed to the only two new cases in Duarte province, the first province to have community transmission and where the disease had escalated. He said the collaboration of the citizens, the stepping up on detecting cases, and sanitizing operations on streets and clinics and households where persons had tested positive, helped to slow the speed of the spread of the virus.
“We’re going in the right direction and if we continue with social isolation and prevention actions, the province will soon recover,” he stated. Sánchez Cárdenas expressed his optimism that more information is available to help people care for those who suffer the disease at home. He stressed people have been downloading and using the Aurora MSP app to consult with doctors online. He said the rapid response tests that are now becoming available will be a big boost.
Nevertheless, the statistics shared by the government do not reflect a significant increase in testing. The statistics show results for 4,200 accumulated tests as of Friday, 3 April; 4,542 tests by Saturday, 4 April, and 5,183 tests by Sunday, 5 April.
“With the PCR tests and the mapping of contacts and the improvements at hospitals and clinics, we expect that in coming days measures and actions with other institutes to put together an action plan coordinated with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to attack the five zones where there is community spread,” he said on the Friday, 3 April press conference. “We expect that in these 15 days we will be able to see important results in the National District, Santo Domingo province, Duarte, La Vega and Santiago.” He said the new steps will tell the country how it is doing and what new more drastic measures are needed.
The number of positive cases is expected to increase as more tests are carried out. At the same time, the fatality rate, nevertheless, is expected to decline, as people are detected earlier. So far, the tests had been applied to persons in serious conditions.
Sánchez Cardenas said at his Saturday, 4 April press conference that he is optimistic that the Aurora MSP app that is offering medical care online is helping those that are recovering at home, even those that may not have been tested but are showing symptoms.
On Saturday, it was announced that the Canadian senior citizen hospitalized at the Ramon de Lara Hospital had received her second negative test result and was discharged. She was the second positive case of Covid-19 in the Dominican Republic. Sánchez Cardenas also announced the first case of the virus was reported in Bahoruco province, leaving only Elias Piña and San José de Ocoa as provinces where cases have not been confirmed.
Over the weekend, the epidemiological situation as reported in the Epidemiology Department bulletins is as:
:
Friday, 3 April: Bulletin #15
Confirmed cases, 1,488 (4,200 tests), deaths 68
Saturday, 4 April: Bulletin #16
Confirmed cases, 1,578 (4,542 tests), deaths 77
Sunday, 5, April: Bulletin #17
Confirmed cases, 1,745 (5,183 tests), deaths 82
Place of residence: National District (38%), Santo Domingo province (15%), Santiago (11%), Duarte (8), La Vega (6%).
The bulletins cover the number of cases up to the 6pm of the day before the report.
https://www.msp.gob.do/web/?page_id=6682
Gregariousness of Dominicans in NY makes Washington Heights a virus hotspot
New York journalist Ramon Mercedes reports from New York that the Department of Health has established that Washington Heights is one of the most affected neighborhoods in Manhattan. A large number of Dominicans live in that neighborhood. Mercedes estimates the Dominican population is around 850,000 in New York City.
Mercedes suggested the very gregarious nature of the Dominican community led it to not take the disease seriously until it was too late. In an interview for Esta Noche con Mariasela (Channel 9) on Friday evening, he said the situation has changed and very few restaurants and other businesses remain open. He estimated that 96% of the businesses were closed. “If New York City is the city that never sleeps, now it is snoring,” he said. He estimated hundreds of thousands have lost their jobs, remittances will decline significantly, and many Dominicans will return to the DR. Upwards of 75 Dominicans have died in New York City, according to journalistic reports.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2020/04...os-ny-por-presagios-devastadores-autoridades/
https://elguardian.com.do/coronavirus-mata-75-dominicanos-en-nueva-york-en-ultimos-dias/
Inmate tests positive at La Victoria jail
Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas said one of the two inmates who died at La Victoria National Penitentiary had Covid-19 coronavirus. The other case still needs to be confirmed.
In a press conference transmitted by digital media, he reported that in the past few hours some 192 rapid tests were performed in the Alaska Pavilion of La Victoria prison where the government says inmates showed symptoms. He added that eight of the tests will be repeated to check whether or not they are positive for the virus. As reported, around 1,000 rapid response tests will be carried out to inmates.
Sánchez Cárdenas also indicated a total of 21 persons with symptoms will also be tested by the PCR diagnostic test.
Of the total number of rapid tests, 183 were negative. He said prisoners that are suspect were separated from others. The prisoner that tested positive was relocated.
On Saturday, the Attorney General's Office had reported that two inmates of La Victoria, located in the municipal district of the same name in northern Santo Domingo, died allegedly due to the coronavirus.
Likewise, the authorities of the Ministry of Public Health and the Prisons Department carried out a day of cleansing and disinfection in the prison of La Victoria, as part of the prevention and mitigation actions of Covid-19.
So far, 1,745 positive cases of coronavirus have been reported in the country, 82 dead, 17 recovered, 24 discharged and 3,438 persons tested negative.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...or-coronavirus-aislaran-negativos-a-la-prueba
https://hoy.com.do/ministro-de-salu...-por-coronavirus-en-la-carcel-de-la-victoria/
Two children dead from coronavirus in DR
The Ministry of Public Health has confirmed that two children have died in the Dominican Republic as a result of Covid-19. These include a six-months old baby at the Arturo Grullon Children’s hospital in Santiago, and a two-year old girl at the Dario Contreras Trauma Hospital in Santo Domingo.
At the Santiago hospital, 28 medical personnel are under strict observation due to their contact with the child who died from the virus.
The little girl was attended at the Dario Contreras trauma hospital in eastern Santo Domingo. Public Health Minister Dr. Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas said rapid response tests were applied to all medical staff that cleared the test.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...8-personas-muertas-por-coronavirus-en-el-pais
Dr. Cruz Jiminián discharged to continue recovery at home
Dr. Felix Antonio Cruz Jiminián was discharged from Plaza de la Salud, where he was treated for Covid-19 for 13 days. Dr. Cruz Jiminián is best known for his low-cost Cristo Rey hospital.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/salud/salud-cruz-jiminian-ya-esta-en-su-casa-MA18098253
11 Police catch coronavirus while on the job
As of 3 April 2020, the National Police reported that 11 police that have been carrying out special duty during the Covid-19 pandemic have caught the disease. The highest-ranking is Colonel Jimmy Torres Dotel, who died of a heart attack while interned at the intensive care unit of the Police Hospital. He had tested positive. His twin brother is Colonel Javier Torres Dotel, director of community service for the Police. The director of the Police, Major General Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte, said the agents would continue to act to ensure there is compliance with the curfew.
Police have been active at medical centers and patrolling cities and towns to ensure that curfew is kept from 5pm to 6am. Throughout the initial stages of the disease, the police and military were not adequately protected.
So far, some 36 members of the Armed Forces have also tested positive, according to a source.
In the Friday, 3 April press conference, the Public Health Minister, Dr. Sanchez Cardenas, said that 16-17 police were under observation and 7 -8 police had tested positive.
https://www.policianacional.gob.do/noticias/la-pandemia-cobra-una-vida-de-nuestros-uniformados/
https://hoy.com.do/nunca-pense-sufr...l-p-n-tras-muerte-de-mellizo-por-coronavirus/
Four mayor-elects are sick with Covid-19
The mayors are scheduled to be sworn into office on 24 April 2020, but this may not be so. The winners of the city governments for San Cristobal, Puerto Plata, San Francisco de Macoris and Vicente Noble all tested positive.
Puerto Plata’s Roquelito García was among the first to be tested. He was immediately isolated. Siquio Ng de la Rosa for San Francisco de Macoris was as well and is hospitalized. News reports are that mayor-elect Domingo de los Santos is also sick with the disease.
The mayors urge the population to adhere to the stay at home and social distancing measures.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...os-en-el-prm-han-dado-positivo-al-coronavirus
No domestic travel during Holy Week
Minister for the Presidency Gustavo Montalvo announced on Friday, 3 April 2020 that travel from the National District to the provinces during Holy Week is banned. Easter is the peak season for domestic travel.
The measure means that travel will be banned the entire 24 hours of the day. Previously, travel was only restricted from 5pm to 6am.
Members of the Armed Forces and the National Police will be in charge of enforcing the order.
As anyone with experience in the Dominican Republic knows, Holy Week/Semana Santa, is the time to get into the countryside, visit relatives, go to the beach or the favorite swimming hole and relax. This is not going to happen this year. Montalvo told reporters: ”We cannot permit a few ignorant people to put in danger the health of all.”
The application of the measure began on Saturday morning at the toll stations. The military was requesting to see the ID to determine the place of residence. Those that did not have a special permit for working with food, medical, telecom, journalism, or other essential services and goods were not being allowed to exit or enter the city.
The intention is to avoid that those who may be asymptomatic spread the disease in their home communities. Nevertheless, the decision to establish the roadblocks was not notified with time and caused major inconveniences.
Dominicans nationwide are being asked to stay at home.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...iajes-al-interior-por-semana-santa-NB18081927
https://eldia.com.do/gobierno-confina-los-municipios-por-15-dias-prohibe-viajes-al-interior/
https://elcaribe.com.do/2020/04/03/gobierno-prohibe-trasladarse-en-semana-santa/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...n-viajar-al-interior-del-pais-en-semana-santa
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...-los-pueblos-sin-razon-justificada-IA18092947
https://elnacional.com.do/gustavo-m...idos-los-viajes-al-interior-por-semana-santa/
Public Health Minister announces new labs for testing
Public Health Minister Dr. Rafael Sánchez Cardenas announced on Friday, 3 April 2020 that Laboratorio Clínico Patria Rivas has been authorized to carry out lab tests for the Covid-19 coronavirus. The lab joins two other private labs, Amadita and Referencia, that already carry out the tests. The labs are obliged to report the findings to the epidemiological authorities of the Ministry of Public Health.
Amadita and Referencia, operate at the Centro Sanitario at Calle Manuel de Jesus Galván in Santo Domingo, and the Laborario Nacional Dr. Defillo, also in Santo Domingo.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/cate...o-Sanitario-de-Santo-Domingo-813571215438323/
Corruption in times of the coronavirus
An outrage at overpricing in government emergency procurement operations was the trending topic over the weekend. The spotlight was mainly on the RD$1.5 billion contract awarded to Tools Resources Enterprises Toreen SRL, a multi-operations company with a registered capital of RD$100,000. The company was awarded the bulk of all medical supply contracting under special conditions for procurement created by the present National State of Emergency.
As reported, the company registered itself as a medical supplier to coincide with the government declaration of the State of Emergency. Investigative journalist Altagracia Salazar had explained that the accountant and the chauffeur of the company appear as the owners of Tools Resources.
In an interview with journalist Juan Bolivar Diaz, Chanel Rosa Chupani, director of the National Health Service (SNS), defended the legality of the contract that he had signed. He said that under emergency state conditions the only requirement was that the company deliver in the five days stipulated in the contract.
In the interview with Diaz, Rosa said that the companies had not complied with the delivery deadline and the order would be canceled. He downplayed the importance of irregularities in the contracting by telling journalist Diaz that the SNS had advanced only RD$4 million to Tools Resources for the RD$1.5 billion medical supplies order. Canceled orders amount to RD$2 billion in contracting.
The irregular contract became known after the opposition party, the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) revealed details of the overpricing that benefited the little-known suppliers. The major medical device suppliers did not participate in the fast-tracked bid.
Goods that are available on the local market were increased in price 4-5 times for the mass purchase for the supplies to be used during the coronavirus. Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) president Jose Ignacio Paliza says a N95 mask that sells for RD$254 in Farmacia Carol was purchased for RD$1,000 apiece in the winning bid.
Investigative journalist Nuria Piera aired her Saturday, 4 April show with a segment on the overpricing in the bid. “In these times of crisis when controls are minimum, the sharks made money when the purchases are freed of government controls. Lots needs to be purchased, and fast,” she explains when referring to Decree 133-20 that authorizes the purchases. “The gates are opened to all kinds of irregularities.”
Piera pointed to the price ceiling presented by the Ministry of Public Health and how companies had offered higher prices than these, and nevertheless won the bids. She mentioned several examples, including one bid beneficiary Balmes Import, which had won a medical supplies contract for RD$511,702,752 when the ceiling for the bid was RD$192 million. She also mentioned contracts for millions of pesos where suppliers had hours to present the bid and deliver the goods.
Piera noted that Yocasta Guzman, in charge of government procurement, has said the case would be investigated.
Journalist Altagracia Salazar on her Sin Maquillaje morning radio talk show presented quotes for established medical suppliers that were many times lower than what the government had contracted for.
The Minister of Public Health defended the purchases and said the claims of corruption and overpricing in procurement of medical supplies were irresponsible given the scarcities that are behind the increase in prices.
The government announced on Sunday, 5 April 2020 that it had named an oversight committee to oversee the purchases. Previous oversight committees in the Medina administration are dysfunctional.
https://somospueblo.com/paliza-denu...-rd1000-mientras-farmacias-la-venden-a-rd254/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJPegFQSc-4 -- interview with Juan Bolivar Diaz and Chanel Rosa Chupani
https://elcaribe.com.do/2020/04/03/dice-investigan-denuncia-compra-insumos-medicos/
https://m.elcaribe.com.do/2020/04/03/dice-investigan-denuncia-compra-insumos-medicos/
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...tratos-del-estado-en-esta-emergencia-nacional
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...s-de-insumos-medicos-para-covid-19-IB18084837
https://m.diariolibre.com/actualida...s-de-insumos-medicos-para-covid-19-IB18084837
https://acento.com.do/2020/politica/8801623-apd-demanda-del-congreso-auditar-compras-de-covid-19/
https://acento.com.do/2020/opinion/...ase-y-la-generosidad-empresarial-fraudulenta/
https://n.com.do/2020/04/05/compras...de-salud-ascendian-a-2-mil-millones-de-pesos/
https://hoy.com.do/coronavirus-chan...amientos-sobre-licitacion-de-equipos-medicos/
https://n.com.do/2020/04/05/ministr...oliticas-alusiones-en-compras-sobrevaloradas/
https://n.com.do/2020/04/05/compras...de-salud-ascendian-a-2-mil-millones-de-pesos/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...r-comision-para-vigilar-compras-en-emergencia
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...pro-insumos-y-materiales-por-rd-1667-millones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY9JCs-ZT_I -- Altagracia Salazar Sin Maquillaje
Congress to meet to decide on extension of state of emergency
The Senate is scheduled to meet on Monday, 6 April 2020, at 11am because the act establishing the current 25-day State of Emergency ends on 13 April. The state of emergency restricts transit in the Dominican Republic and enables the government to make emergency purchases without having to comply with usual procurement controls.
Once approved, the act for extending the state of emergency will move to the Chamber of Deputies for approval. The Chamber of Deputies have already scheduled a Tuesday, 7 April session at noon.
The meetings are scheduled for the National Assembly hall in order that the legislators can keep physical distance among themselves.
The Senate session will be chaired by Vice President Aristides Victoria Yeb, since Senate President Reinaldo Pared Perez has indicated he is undergoing cancer treatment.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...de-estado-de-emergencia-este-lunes-FO18079851
https://hoy.com.do/camara-de-diputados-convoca-sesion-para-conocer-estado-de-emergencia/
Country shutdown wreaks havoc on workers
The curfews and the forced closure of all “non-essential” businesses has been a major disaster for workers at all levels. An estimated half a million workers have lost their jobs over the past two weeks following the declaration of the state of emergency for Covid-19 on 20 March 2020.
According to numbers published late last week by the Ministry of Labor, over 36,000 companies have requested approval of a suspension of work, and this affects 434,000 workers. On last Thursday, alone, the Ministry received over 6,000 requests from businesses, affecting 60,000 workers. The government imposed a first 15-day national quarantine on 20 March, in the face of the rise in positive tests among persons with the flu-like symptoms. The number was doubling every three days. It would have expired on 3 April and was extended to 18 April. A 25-day State of Emergency limits transit and authorizes the government to make emergency purchases expires on 14 April and is expected to be extended. Congress is scheduled to meet to discuss the extension on Monday, 6 April 2020.
To mitigate the effects of the industry and commercial shut down on the workers and business, the government has created the Employee Solidarity Assistance Fund (FASE) by Decree 143-20. The program provides cash payments of RD$5,000 to RD$8,500 to workers registered with the social security system (TSS). The program began covers the months of April and May.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...suspendidos-casi-medio-millon-de-trabajadores
Minister of Hacienda: No need to line up for Solidaridad cards
After Hacienda Minister Donald Guerrero announced that the RD$1,500 food subsidy given to those with the Solidaridad card would be increased to RD$5,000 a month, thousands showed up at the Megacentro mall where the Solidaridad offices are located to get the card. Those with the card supposedly would receive the cash payments as part of the new “Quedate en Casa” (Stay Home) government program. Thousands queued up at the Megacentro shopping mall since 6am when curfew was lifted on Friday, 3 April. The line ran outside the gates of the mall until several decided to jump the gate and chaos was unleashed, requiring the police's intervention. This was captured on a video that went viral.
The measure was criticized because the agglomeration of people is exactly what the stay at home program and the curfew is trying to avoid. The Megacentro shopping center announced that the Punto GOB citizen service office in that plaza is closed, so no Solidarity Cards or "Stay Home" benefits are provided there. Through a press release, Megacentro said that due to the tumult of people who came to these facilities Friday morning, they were forced to seek support from the National Police and their security personnel.
The Social Cabinet of the Presidency informed that the 600,646 households that do not have the Progresando con Solidaridad card will nevertheless be included in the temporary Stay at Home subsidy. The government said these persons would be contacted by the Social Subsidies Administrator (Adess) by telephone to verify their data. The government alerted there would be no physical visits to persons homes.
https://elcaribe.com.do/2020/04/03/cientos-se-aglomeran-para-buscar-la-ayuda-del-gobierno/
https://hoy.com.do/vicepresidente-aclara-como-seran-contactados-nuevos-beneficiario-quedate-en-casa/
How the Stay at Home and FASE programs work
After thousands thronged a government office at the Megacentro mall, Hacienda Minister Donald Guerrero went on TV on Friday evening to explain that the government is reaching out to the poor to deliver the promised RD$5,000 in cash for food supplies. The program has been named “Quedate en Casa.” Guerrero says that the Solidarity cards will be delivered to the beneficiaries and there is no need for these people to queue up at government offices to receive their cards. The Stay at Home program runs under the Solidaridad welfare programs that the Office of the Vice President handles. It allocates payments of RD$2,500 every 15 days to those identified in the state database as the most vulnerable to be used for food purchases in thousands of establishments around the country. Previously the government had allotted RD$1,500 a month for food assistance to 850,000. Guerrero explained that the number of families that will benefit is being increased to 1,500,000. He said the first 850,000 families have already received the first allotment.
Guerrero said the families will not need the Solidaridad card to receive the food assistance. He said the families will be notified by telephone call from the Unified System of Beneficiaries (SUIBEN). They will be able to show up at a food store affiliated to the Quedate en Casa program and will have a balance deposited to their name. They need only present their ID card as of Wednesday, 8 April 2020.
With regards to Employee Solidarity Assistance Fund (FASE), he explained that the program seeks to keep jobs. He said payments are scheduled for April and May. The government assistance to those registered in the Social Security Treasury (TSS). He explained it is not necessary to have been suspended from the job to opt for the program. But each company needs to do the registration online for the employee with the Ministry of Labor. The company needs to indicate the contact details of the employee, ID and bank account where the deposit would be made. He said the government will cover RD$5,000 in those cases where the employee has not been suspended, and up to RD$8,500 in cases where the employee has been suspended, in order for the company to keep the employee.
The Ministry of Labor estimates at around 250,000 the number of suspended employees, and estimates that this year around 750,000 persons could be suspended.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IyIElBg7hI8 -- Donald Guerrero interview with Esta Noche con Mariasela
https://hoy.com.do/ministro-de-trabajo-informa-al-empleador-instructivo-registro-programa-fase/
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...es-deben-ingresar-al-programa-fase-CA18092550
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...-se-entregara-en-la-casa-de-los-beneficiarios
The donations are rolling to help the nation beat Covid-19
Solidarity of the private sector continues to pour in to help the country deal with the economic and social impacts of the 2020 pandemic. As of Thursday, July and August, more than half a million in private donations for Covid-19 had been announced.
Among the donors are:
The Business Alliance to Heal a Nation (Alianza Empresarial Sanar una Nacion), which brings together Grupo Popular, Grupo Rica, Grupo Ramos, Grupo Universal, the non-profit CitiHope Relief and Development, and the National Business Council (Conep), has donatedRD$263 million
Fundación Corripio has provided RD$50 million. These funds were allotted to the Pastoral Social of the Arzobispado de Santo Domingo and its Fed Bank, and the Center or Diagnostic Medicine, Telemedicine and Teleconferences (Cedimat) to make one building of the hospital adequate for receiving coronavirus patients.
Grupo Rizek donated RD$50 million to help San Francisco de Macoris, the capital city of Duarte province, which was the first to suffer community spread of the disease. The disease overwhelmed the poor health infrastructure in both public and private sectors there.
The Association for the Development of Santiago (Asociación para el Desarrollo de Santiago) and Santiago Commitment Movement (Movimiento Compromiso Santiago) gave RD$30 million to bolster the facilities in Santiago.
BHD-Leon / Fundación Mapfre have donated RD$50 million to purchase 28,800 PCR diagnostics tests and other supplies.
Grupo SID, and the Bonetti, Armenteros and Vitienes families announced a donation of RD$50 million to be used at the Plaza de la Salud Hospital, the Order of Malta hospitals in Herrera, Haina and Monte Plata, the National District city government and hospitals in La Vega.
In Puerto Plata, the community has announced an initiative to collect financial contributions from different sources to provide institutions and relief groups with the necessary medical care, cleaning and preventive protection materials to enable them to continue their work. The Roman Catholic Church bishop’s office, the Federation of Evangelical Pastors, the Association of Hotels and Tourist Companies of the North, the Hotels of Sosúa and Cabarete, the Playa Dorada Sustainable Development Association, the Chamber of Commerce and Production of Puerto Plata, the Tourism Cluster and the Free Zone Corporation are part of the effort.
The Dominican Electronic Lottery (Leidsa) approved a donation of RD$11 million for equipment acquisition and medical supplies (gloves, masks, gowns, etc.). The owner of Leidsa lottery, Pedro Alegría, is senator for San Jose de Ocoa, the only province where there is yet to be a case of the virus.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...a-fondo-ayuda-contra-covid-19-en-puerto-plata
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...ona-rd-11-millones-para-enfrentar-el-covid-19
https://hoy.com.do/entidades-de-puerto-plata-crean-fondo-de-ayuda/
Dominicans who were caught abroad begin to return
Dominican consulates and embassies abroad have been assisting Dominicans to find flights or ships to return to the Dominican Republic. Their plight has been carried on social media. Many complained that when the government announced the shutdown of air and seaports, it gave only 24 hours for people to make alternate travel arrangements.
Among those returning were 32 Dominicans that were on board the Marella Discovery 2 that docked in the Port of Sans Souci in Santo Domingo under strict hygiene and safety measures. The ship then headed to Europe. The Dominicans will need to remain in special quarantine centers managed by the Navy for 14 days. Several sent to the isolation center said that the installations located in Punta Torrecilla in the Sans Souci area had not been adequated to receive the travelers.
The Rannik shipping agency had applied for special docking authorization on humanitarian grounds and was granted this on Saturday, 4 April. The ship continues to Europe.
Likewise, another 118 Dominicans who were stranded in the US arrived on a special chartered flight organized by the DR Consulate General in New York City. Business people, students and transit passengers arrived on Delta flight 8871. The flight included Dominicans who had been stranded in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, California, and the cities of Seattle and Miami after the government announced the cancellation of all flights in just 24 hours.
The registration of interested persons was done through the new WhatsApp messaging system of the Dominican Consulate, the "ChatBot" at +1-914-826-8091, where they wrote "stranded" to be registered.
As reported in Hoy, a first flight had been scheduled for Friday, 27 March, but the permit was revoked by the authorities of the Ministry of Public Health.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...trictas-medidas-de-seguridad-en-santo-domingo
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...s-118-dominicanos-que-estaban-varados-en-eeuu
https://hoy.com.do/dominicanos-varados-en-eeuu-regresan-a-rd-estaran-en-cuarentena-14-dias/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...en-eeuu-y-que-llegaron-este-sabado-MA18093953
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...elos-de-repatriacion-no-son-gratis-MP18067812
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...adas&utm_medium=bloque&utm_campaign=blueconic
The mayor closed their marketplace; they went elsewhere
Two weeks ago, the mayor of Santiago de los Caballeros, Abel Martinez, issued orders to close down Los Hospedajes, the century-old market in the lower part of the city. Vendors there sold fruits and staples for resale to the public. Some of the stalls there have been in the same family for more than three generations. There are stories that tell of some of the vendors who were even born in their stalls.
However, Los Hospedajes does not present a very hygienic picture to any visitor, and it is crowded with people. Given these circumstances, the mayor, fighting the blight of the coronavirus, decided to shut it down at least for a while. After all, it is a city-owned property.
But the banana and plantain trees keep producing, the vegetable fields of Tireo and Constanza keep yielding their fruits and vegetables and the yucca and batata farms of Moca are still producing. All of these crops and more, come to Santiago daily.
With the Hospedaje closed and sealed off with Jersey barriers on all four access points, many of the vendors and truckers have taken to open shop along the new South Beltway in Santiago, the one that follows the river Yaque. There, customers can haggle for staples with truckers or the odd vendor, along about a kilometer of the roadway. The vendors are defiant, saying that they are not willing to let themselves die of hunger. Given the massive transfer of products, the local city government (the Ayuntamiento) has been obliged to undertake campaigns of spraying disinfectants and undertake other sanitation efforts at the new market area.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2020/04/03/vendedores-ocupan-avenida-y-parques/
Detained or seized vehicles will remain impounded until curfew ends
Any vehicle that has been impounded during the current curfew period will remain at the old dog track (the Canódromo) until the curfew decree is lifted. This is the grim news from the head of the Traffic and Ground Transportation Agency (Digesett), General Ernesto Rodriguez Garcia. Decree 142-20 sets the 5pm until 6am curfew through 18 April 2020. Around 3,000 vehicles have been retained since the restrictions began on 20 March.
Once curfew is lifted, to retrieve the vehicle, the owner must pay the charges associated with the violation, present the receipt of payment along with a copy of the driver license, and a copy of vehicle registration and insurance to the Digesett.
https://eldia.com.do/vehiculos-permaneceran-retenidos-hasta-que-concluya-toque-de-queda/
Promese to provide controversial hydroxychloroquine to treat coronavirus
The Essential Medicine Program (Promese), the state-run, low cost, pharmaceutical provider, has announced that it has ample stores of hydroxychloroquine. The medication is used to prevent and treat malaria and is also used for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other sicknesses. It is taken by mouth.
The local medical authorities say the drug has proven to be effective treating seriously ill coronavirus patients. The drug reportedly was distributed to the nation’s hospitals where cases of coronavirus are being treated. The Ministry of Public Health says the drug will be applied under the protocols set up by the Pan American Health Organization.
This is the same drug that US President Donald Trump has been promoting for widespread use in the United States. Nevertheless, the president of the American Medical Association, Dr. Patrice Harris told CNN on 5 April 2020 that this is “inappropriate prescribing”. While the US FDA has approved the drug for emergency use, it has not been tested and has known severe side effects that could worsen the disease and cause deaths. The only technical studies available so far say it only has helped patients that had mild cases, not those seriously ill, and there is some question even then whether it was hydroxychloroquine that made the difference.
https://eldia.com.do/promese-suplir...xicloriquina-para-los-afectados-por-covid-19/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...strando-a-todos-los-pacientes-con-coronavirus
Coronavirus? Don’t forget the hurricanes!
With 90% of the media coverage dedicated to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, people tend to forget that we are very close to hurricane season in the Caribbean. Yes, just one issue after another. The good forecasters at the University of Colorado are saying that there could well be four major hurricanes this year; hurricanes in the three to five places in the Saffir-Simpson scale.
The season that officially that begins on 1 June and ends on 30 November is expected to have as many as 16 named storms, with as many as eight of these being hurricanes. The university forecasters are also saying that there are good possibilities that some of the storms could well reach landfall in the United States. In fact, they are saying that there is a 69% chance of this happening. The prognosis is that there is a 140% probability of an above-average season.
For the Dominican Republic, this means an added watchfulness and preparations for the arrival of these tropical disturbances.
https://engr.source.colostate.edu/csu-researchers-predicting-active-2020-atlantic-hurricane-season/
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2020/04/03/pronostican-cuatro-grandes-huracanes-en-el-atlantico-en-2020/
Juan Luis Guerra releases “Thank you!”
Dominican singer-songwriter Juan Luis Guerra was inspired to write "Gracias" on Friday, a Christian song he composed in the midst of the present global health crisis. In the Dominican Republic, 68 persons had died when the song was released.
Guerra is perhaps the most international artist of the Dominican Republic. He released the theme on his Instagram page. He specified the song is based on the biblical verse Philippians 4:6-7. The verse states: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-f9UQCh2qI/
https://eldia.com.do/juan-luis-guerra-lanza-gracias-en-medio-de-la-pandemia-por-el-coronavirus/
José Antonio Rodríguez composes “When All Is Over” to give hope
The Dominican ambassador to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Jose Antonio Rodríguez, composed a song, “When All is Over” (Cuando todo termine) to give hope in these days of Covid-19. In Paris, France, in an interview with Mariasela Alvarez for Esta Noche con Mariasela on Friday, he explained that there is optimism the disease will recede in France. “What happens in one country, happens in another, we have the same measures,” he explained. He said the crisis has united the people of France, and the French are taking it very seriously. He said he was motivated to write the song inspired by the medics, nurses and service staff that is risking their lives. “I wanted to be useful and started to write,” he said. “Time to leave speeches behind, solidarity is the only speech,” he said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iesgYIq7H8
Gregariousness of Dominicans in NY makes Washington Heights a virus hotspot
Inmate tests positive at La Victoria jail
Two children dead from coronavirus in DR
Dr. Cruz Jiminián discharged to continue recovery at home
11 Police catch coronavirus while on the job
Four mayor-elects are sick with Covid-19
No domestic travel during Holy Week
Public Health Minister announces new labs for testing
Corruption in times of the coronavirus
Congress to meet to decide on the extension of the state of emergency
Country shutdown wreaks havoc on workers
Minister of Hacienda: No need to line up for Solidaridad cards
How the Stay at Home and FASE programs work
The donations are rolling to help the nation beat Covid-19
Dominicans who were caught abroad begin to return
The mayor closed their marketplace; they went elsewhere
Detained or seized vehicles will remain impounded until curfew ends
Promese to provide controversial hydroxychloroquine to treat coronavirus
Coronavirus? Don’t forget the hurricanes!
Juan Luis Guerra releases “Thank you!”
José Antonio Rodríguez composes “When All Is Over” to give hope
Public Health Minister optimistic on progress with Covid-19 numbers
The official numbers show the percentage of increase in positive cases and the numbers of deaths have leveled off. Public Health Minister, Dr. Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas, on Friday, 3 April 2020 pointed to the only two new cases in Duarte province, the first province to have community transmission and where the disease had escalated. He said the collaboration of the citizens, the stepping up on detecting cases, and sanitizing operations on streets and clinics and households where persons had tested positive, helped to slow the speed of the spread of the virus.
“We’re going in the right direction and if we continue with social isolation and prevention actions, the province will soon recover,” he stated. Sánchez Cárdenas expressed his optimism that more information is available to help people care for those who suffer the disease at home. He stressed people have been downloading and using the Aurora MSP app to consult with doctors online. He said the rapid response tests that are now becoming available will be a big boost.
Nevertheless, the statistics shared by the government do not reflect a significant increase in testing. The statistics show results for 4,200 accumulated tests as of Friday, 3 April; 4,542 tests by Saturday, 4 April, and 5,183 tests by Sunday, 5 April.
“With the PCR tests and the mapping of contacts and the improvements at hospitals and clinics, we expect that in coming days measures and actions with other institutes to put together an action plan coordinated with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to attack the five zones where there is community spread,” he said on the Friday, 3 April press conference. “We expect that in these 15 days we will be able to see important results in the National District, Santo Domingo province, Duarte, La Vega and Santiago.” He said the new steps will tell the country how it is doing and what new more drastic measures are needed.
The number of positive cases is expected to increase as more tests are carried out. At the same time, the fatality rate, nevertheless, is expected to decline, as people are detected earlier. So far, the tests had been applied to persons in serious conditions.
Sánchez Cardenas said at his Saturday, 4 April press conference that he is optimistic that the Aurora MSP app that is offering medical care online is helping those that are recovering at home, even those that may not have been tested but are showing symptoms.
On Saturday, it was announced that the Canadian senior citizen hospitalized at the Ramon de Lara Hospital had received her second negative test result and was discharged. She was the second positive case of Covid-19 in the Dominican Republic. Sánchez Cardenas also announced the first case of the virus was reported in Bahoruco province, leaving only Elias Piña and San José de Ocoa as provinces where cases have not been confirmed.
Over the weekend, the epidemiological situation as reported in the Epidemiology Department bulletins is as:
:
Friday, 3 April: Bulletin #15
Confirmed cases, 1,488 (4,200 tests), deaths 68
Saturday, 4 April: Bulletin #16
Confirmed cases, 1,578 (4,542 tests), deaths 77
Sunday, 5, April: Bulletin #17
Confirmed cases, 1,745 (5,183 tests), deaths 82
Place of residence: National District (38%), Santo Domingo province (15%), Santiago (11%), Duarte (8), La Vega (6%).
The bulletins cover the number of cases up to the 6pm of the day before the report.
https://www.msp.gob.do/web/?page_id=6682
Gregariousness of Dominicans in NY makes Washington Heights a virus hotspot
New York journalist Ramon Mercedes reports from New York that the Department of Health has established that Washington Heights is one of the most affected neighborhoods in Manhattan. A large number of Dominicans live in that neighborhood. Mercedes estimates the Dominican population is around 850,000 in New York City.
Mercedes suggested the very gregarious nature of the Dominican community led it to not take the disease seriously until it was too late. In an interview for Esta Noche con Mariasela (Channel 9) on Friday evening, he said the situation has changed and very few restaurants and other businesses remain open. He estimated that 96% of the businesses were closed. “If New York City is the city that never sleeps, now it is snoring,” he said. He estimated hundreds of thousands have lost their jobs, remittances will decline significantly, and many Dominicans will return to the DR. Upwards of 75 Dominicans have died in New York City, according to journalistic reports.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2020/04...os-ny-por-presagios-devastadores-autoridades/
https://elguardian.com.do/coronavirus-mata-75-dominicanos-en-nueva-york-en-ultimos-dias/
Inmate tests positive at La Victoria jail
Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas said one of the two inmates who died at La Victoria National Penitentiary had Covid-19 coronavirus. The other case still needs to be confirmed.
In a press conference transmitted by digital media, he reported that in the past few hours some 192 rapid tests were performed in the Alaska Pavilion of La Victoria prison where the government says inmates showed symptoms. He added that eight of the tests will be repeated to check whether or not they are positive for the virus. As reported, around 1,000 rapid response tests will be carried out to inmates.
Sánchez Cárdenas also indicated a total of 21 persons with symptoms will also be tested by the PCR diagnostic test.
Of the total number of rapid tests, 183 were negative. He said prisoners that are suspect were separated from others. The prisoner that tested positive was relocated.
On Saturday, the Attorney General's Office had reported that two inmates of La Victoria, located in the municipal district of the same name in northern Santo Domingo, died allegedly due to the coronavirus.
Likewise, the authorities of the Ministry of Public Health and the Prisons Department carried out a day of cleansing and disinfection in the prison of La Victoria, as part of the prevention and mitigation actions of Covid-19.
So far, 1,745 positive cases of coronavirus have been reported in the country, 82 dead, 17 recovered, 24 discharged and 3,438 persons tested negative.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...or-coronavirus-aislaran-negativos-a-la-prueba
https://hoy.com.do/ministro-de-salu...-por-coronavirus-en-la-carcel-de-la-victoria/
Two children dead from coronavirus in DR
The Ministry of Public Health has confirmed that two children have died in the Dominican Republic as a result of Covid-19. These include a six-months old baby at the Arturo Grullon Children’s hospital in Santiago, and a two-year old girl at the Dario Contreras Trauma Hospital in Santo Domingo.
At the Santiago hospital, 28 medical personnel are under strict observation due to their contact with the child who died from the virus.
The little girl was attended at the Dario Contreras trauma hospital in eastern Santo Domingo. Public Health Minister Dr. Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas said rapid response tests were applied to all medical staff that cleared the test.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...8-personas-muertas-por-coronavirus-en-el-pais
Dr. Cruz Jiminián discharged to continue recovery at home
Dr. Felix Antonio Cruz Jiminián was discharged from Plaza de la Salud, where he was treated for Covid-19 for 13 days. Dr. Cruz Jiminián is best known for his low-cost Cristo Rey hospital.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/salud/salud-cruz-jiminian-ya-esta-en-su-casa-MA18098253
11 Police catch coronavirus while on the job
As of 3 April 2020, the National Police reported that 11 police that have been carrying out special duty during the Covid-19 pandemic have caught the disease. The highest-ranking is Colonel Jimmy Torres Dotel, who died of a heart attack while interned at the intensive care unit of the Police Hospital. He had tested positive. His twin brother is Colonel Javier Torres Dotel, director of community service for the Police. The director of the Police, Major General Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte, said the agents would continue to act to ensure there is compliance with the curfew.
Police have been active at medical centers and patrolling cities and towns to ensure that curfew is kept from 5pm to 6am. Throughout the initial stages of the disease, the police and military were not adequately protected.
So far, some 36 members of the Armed Forces have also tested positive, according to a source.
In the Friday, 3 April press conference, the Public Health Minister, Dr. Sanchez Cardenas, said that 16-17 police were under observation and 7 -8 police had tested positive.
https://www.policianacional.gob.do/noticias/la-pandemia-cobra-una-vida-de-nuestros-uniformados/
https://hoy.com.do/nunca-pense-sufr...l-p-n-tras-muerte-de-mellizo-por-coronavirus/
Four mayor-elects are sick with Covid-19
The mayors are scheduled to be sworn into office on 24 April 2020, but this may not be so. The winners of the city governments for San Cristobal, Puerto Plata, San Francisco de Macoris and Vicente Noble all tested positive.
Puerto Plata’s Roquelito García was among the first to be tested. He was immediately isolated. Siquio Ng de la Rosa for San Francisco de Macoris was as well and is hospitalized. News reports are that mayor-elect Domingo de los Santos is also sick with the disease.
The mayors urge the population to adhere to the stay at home and social distancing measures.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...os-en-el-prm-han-dado-positivo-al-coronavirus
No domestic travel during Holy Week
Minister for the Presidency Gustavo Montalvo announced on Friday, 3 April 2020 that travel from the National District to the provinces during Holy Week is banned. Easter is the peak season for domestic travel.
The measure means that travel will be banned the entire 24 hours of the day. Previously, travel was only restricted from 5pm to 6am.
Members of the Armed Forces and the National Police will be in charge of enforcing the order.
As anyone with experience in the Dominican Republic knows, Holy Week/Semana Santa, is the time to get into the countryside, visit relatives, go to the beach or the favorite swimming hole and relax. This is not going to happen this year. Montalvo told reporters: ”We cannot permit a few ignorant people to put in danger the health of all.”
The application of the measure began on Saturday morning at the toll stations. The military was requesting to see the ID to determine the place of residence. Those that did not have a special permit for working with food, medical, telecom, journalism, or other essential services and goods were not being allowed to exit or enter the city.
The intention is to avoid that those who may be asymptomatic spread the disease in their home communities. Nevertheless, the decision to establish the roadblocks was not notified with time and caused major inconveniences.
Dominicans nationwide are being asked to stay at home.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...iajes-al-interior-por-semana-santa-NB18081927
https://eldia.com.do/gobierno-confina-los-municipios-por-15-dias-prohibe-viajes-al-interior/
https://elcaribe.com.do/2020/04/03/gobierno-prohibe-trasladarse-en-semana-santa/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...n-viajar-al-interior-del-pais-en-semana-santa
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...-los-pueblos-sin-razon-justificada-IA18092947
https://elnacional.com.do/gustavo-m...idos-los-viajes-al-interior-por-semana-santa/
Public Health Minister announces new labs for testing
Public Health Minister Dr. Rafael Sánchez Cardenas announced on Friday, 3 April 2020 that Laboratorio Clínico Patria Rivas has been authorized to carry out lab tests for the Covid-19 coronavirus. The lab joins two other private labs, Amadita and Referencia, that already carry out the tests. The labs are obliged to report the findings to the epidemiological authorities of the Ministry of Public Health.
Amadita and Referencia, operate at the Centro Sanitario at Calle Manuel de Jesus Galván in Santo Domingo, and the Laborario Nacional Dr. Defillo, also in Santo Domingo.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/cate...o-Sanitario-de-Santo-Domingo-813571215438323/
Corruption in times of the coronavirus
An outrage at overpricing in government emergency procurement operations was the trending topic over the weekend. The spotlight was mainly on the RD$1.5 billion contract awarded to Tools Resources Enterprises Toreen SRL, a multi-operations company with a registered capital of RD$100,000. The company was awarded the bulk of all medical supply contracting under special conditions for procurement created by the present National State of Emergency.
As reported, the company registered itself as a medical supplier to coincide with the government declaration of the State of Emergency. Investigative journalist Altagracia Salazar had explained that the accountant and the chauffeur of the company appear as the owners of Tools Resources.
In an interview with journalist Juan Bolivar Diaz, Chanel Rosa Chupani, director of the National Health Service (SNS), defended the legality of the contract that he had signed. He said that under emergency state conditions the only requirement was that the company deliver in the five days stipulated in the contract.
In the interview with Diaz, Rosa said that the companies had not complied with the delivery deadline and the order would be canceled. He downplayed the importance of irregularities in the contracting by telling journalist Diaz that the SNS had advanced only RD$4 million to Tools Resources for the RD$1.5 billion medical supplies order. Canceled orders amount to RD$2 billion in contracting.
The irregular contract became known after the opposition party, the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) revealed details of the overpricing that benefited the little-known suppliers. The major medical device suppliers did not participate in the fast-tracked bid.
Goods that are available on the local market were increased in price 4-5 times for the mass purchase for the supplies to be used during the coronavirus. Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) president Jose Ignacio Paliza says a N95 mask that sells for RD$254 in Farmacia Carol was purchased for RD$1,000 apiece in the winning bid.
Investigative journalist Nuria Piera aired her Saturday, 4 April show with a segment on the overpricing in the bid. “In these times of crisis when controls are minimum, the sharks made money when the purchases are freed of government controls. Lots needs to be purchased, and fast,” she explains when referring to Decree 133-20 that authorizes the purchases. “The gates are opened to all kinds of irregularities.”
Piera pointed to the price ceiling presented by the Ministry of Public Health and how companies had offered higher prices than these, and nevertheless won the bids. She mentioned several examples, including one bid beneficiary Balmes Import, which had won a medical supplies contract for RD$511,702,752 when the ceiling for the bid was RD$192 million. She also mentioned contracts for millions of pesos where suppliers had hours to present the bid and deliver the goods.
Piera noted that Yocasta Guzman, in charge of government procurement, has said the case would be investigated.
Journalist Altagracia Salazar on her Sin Maquillaje morning radio talk show presented quotes for established medical suppliers that were many times lower than what the government had contracted for.
The Minister of Public Health defended the purchases and said the claims of corruption and overpricing in procurement of medical supplies were irresponsible given the scarcities that are behind the increase in prices.
The government announced on Sunday, 5 April 2020 that it had named an oversight committee to oversee the purchases. Previous oversight committees in the Medina administration are dysfunctional.
https://somospueblo.com/paliza-denu...-rd1000-mientras-farmacias-la-venden-a-rd254/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJPegFQSc-4 -- interview with Juan Bolivar Diaz and Chanel Rosa Chupani
https://elcaribe.com.do/2020/04/03/dice-investigan-denuncia-compra-insumos-medicos/
https://m.elcaribe.com.do/2020/04/03/dice-investigan-denuncia-compra-insumos-medicos/
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...tratos-del-estado-en-esta-emergencia-nacional
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...s-de-insumos-medicos-para-covid-19-IB18084837
https://m.diariolibre.com/actualida...s-de-insumos-medicos-para-covid-19-IB18084837
https://acento.com.do/2020/politica/8801623-apd-demanda-del-congreso-auditar-compras-de-covid-19/
https://acento.com.do/2020/opinion/...ase-y-la-generosidad-empresarial-fraudulenta/
https://n.com.do/2020/04/05/compras...de-salud-ascendian-a-2-mil-millones-de-pesos/
https://hoy.com.do/coronavirus-chan...amientos-sobre-licitacion-de-equipos-medicos/
https://n.com.do/2020/04/05/ministr...oliticas-alusiones-en-compras-sobrevaloradas/
https://n.com.do/2020/04/05/compras...de-salud-ascendian-a-2-mil-millones-de-pesos/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...r-comision-para-vigilar-compras-en-emergencia
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...pro-insumos-y-materiales-por-rd-1667-millones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY9JCs-ZT_I -- Altagracia Salazar Sin Maquillaje
Congress to meet to decide on extension of state of emergency
The Senate is scheduled to meet on Monday, 6 April 2020, at 11am because the act establishing the current 25-day State of Emergency ends on 13 April. The state of emergency restricts transit in the Dominican Republic and enables the government to make emergency purchases without having to comply with usual procurement controls.
Once approved, the act for extending the state of emergency will move to the Chamber of Deputies for approval. The Chamber of Deputies have already scheduled a Tuesday, 7 April session at noon.
The meetings are scheduled for the National Assembly hall in order that the legislators can keep physical distance among themselves.
The Senate session will be chaired by Vice President Aristides Victoria Yeb, since Senate President Reinaldo Pared Perez has indicated he is undergoing cancer treatment.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...de-estado-de-emergencia-este-lunes-FO18079851
https://hoy.com.do/camara-de-diputados-convoca-sesion-para-conocer-estado-de-emergencia/
Country shutdown wreaks havoc on workers
The curfews and the forced closure of all “non-essential” businesses has been a major disaster for workers at all levels. An estimated half a million workers have lost their jobs over the past two weeks following the declaration of the state of emergency for Covid-19 on 20 March 2020.
According to numbers published late last week by the Ministry of Labor, over 36,000 companies have requested approval of a suspension of work, and this affects 434,000 workers. On last Thursday, alone, the Ministry received over 6,000 requests from businesses, affecting 60,000 workers. The government imposed a first 15-day national quarantine on 20 March, in the face of the rise in positive tests among persons with the flu-like symptoms. The number was doubling every three days. It would have expired on 3 April and was extended to 18 April. A 25-day State of Emergency limits transit and authorizes the government to make emergency purchases expires on 14 April and is expected to be extended. Congress is scheduled to meet to discuss the extension on Monday, 6 April 2020.
To mitigate the effects of the industry and commercial shut down on the workers and business, the government has created the Employee Solidarity Assistance Fund (FASE) by Decree 143-20. The program provides cash payments of RD$5,000 to RD$8,500 to workers registered with the social security system (TSS). The program began covers the months of April and May.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...suspendidos-casi-medio-millon-de-trabajadores
Minister of Hacienda: No need to line up for Solidaridad cards
After Hacienda Minister Donald Guerrero announced that the RD$1,500 food subsidy given to those with the Solidaridad card would be increased to RD$5,000 a month, thousands showed up at the Megacentro mall where the Solidaridad offices are located to get the card. Those with the card supposedly would receive the cash payments as part of the new “Quedate en Casa” (Stay Home) government program. Thousands queued up at the Megacentro shopping mall since 6am when curfew was lifted on Friday, 3 April. The line ran outside the gates of the mall until several decided to jump the gate and chaos was unleashed, requiring the police's intervention. This was captured on a video that went viral.
The measure was criticized because the agglomeration of people is exactly what the stay at home program and the curfew is trying to avoid. The Megacentro shopping center announced that the Punto GOB citizen service office in that plaza is closed, so no Solidarity Cards or "Stay Home" benefits are provided there. Through a press release, Megacentro said that due to the tumult of people who came to these facilities Friday morning, they were forced to seek support from the National Police and their security personnel.
The Social Cabinet of the Presidency informed that the 600,646 households that do not have the Progresando con Solidaridad card will nevertheless be included in the temporary Stay at Home subsidy. The government said these persons would be contacted by the Social Subsidies Administrator (Adess) by telephone to verify their data. The government alerted there would be no physical visits to persons homes.
https://elcaribe.com.do/2020/04/03/cientos-se-aglomeran-para-buscar-la-ayuda-del-gobierno/
https://hoy.com.do/vicepresidente-aclara-como-seran-contactados-nuevos-beneficiario-quedate-en-casa/
How the Stay at Home and FASE programs work
After thousands thronged a government office at the Megacentro mall, Hacienda Minister Donald Guerrero went on TV on Friday evening to explain that the government is reaching out to the poor to deliver the promised RD$5,000 in cash for food supplies. The program has been named “Quedate en Casa.” Guerrero says that the Solidarity cards will be delivered to the beneficiaries and there is no need for these people to queue up at government offices to receive their cards. The Stay at Home program runs under the Solidaridad welfare programs that the Office of the Vice President handles. It allocates payments of RD$2,500 every 15 days to those identified in the state database as the most vulnerable to be used for food purchases in thousands of establishments around the country. Previously the government had allotted RD$1,500 a month for food assistance to 850,000. Guerrero explained that the number of families that will benefit is being increased to 1,500,000. He said the first 850,000 families have already received the first allotment.
Guerrero said the families will not need the Solidaridad card to receive the food assistance. He said the families will be notified by telephone call from the Unified System of Beneficiaries (SUIBEN). They will be able to show up at a food store affiliated to the Quedate en Casa program and will have a balance deposited to their name. They need only present their ID card as of Wednesday, 8 April 2020.
With regards to Employee Solidarity Assistance Fund (FASE), he explained that the program seeks to keep jobs. He said payments are scheduled for April and May. The government assistance to those registered in the Social Security Treasury (TSS). He explained it is not necessary to have been suspended from the job to opt for the program. But each company needs to do the registration online for the employee with the Ministry of Labor. The company needs to indicate the contact details of the employee, ID and bank account where the deposit would be made. He said the government will cover RD$5,000 in those cases where the employee has not been suspended, and up to RD$8,500 in cases where the employee has been suspended, in order for the company to keep the employee.
The Ministry of Labor estimates at around 250,000 the number of suspended employees, and estimates that this year around 750,000 persons could be suspended.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IyIElBg7hI8 -- Donald Guerrero interview with Esta Noche con Mariasela
https://hoy.com.do/ministro-de-trabajo-informa-al-empleador-instructivo-registro-programa-fase/
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...es-deben-ingresar-al-programa-fase-CA18092550
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...-se-entregara-en-la-casa-de-los-beneficiarios
The donations are rolling to help the nation beat Covid-19
Solidarity of the private sector continues to pour in to help the country deal with the economic and social impacts of the 2020 pandemic. As of Thursday, July and August, more than half a million in private donations for Covid-19 had been announced.
Among the donors are:
The Business Alliance to Heal a Nation (Alianza Empresarial Sanar una Nacion), which brings together Grupo Popular, Grupo Rica, Grupo Ramos, Grupo Universal, the non-profit CitiHope Relief and Development, and the National Business Council (Conep), has donatedRD$263 million
Fundación Corripio has provided RD$50 million. These funds were allotted to the Pastoral Social of the Arzobispado de Santo Domingo and its Fed Bank, and the Center or Diagnostic Medicine, Telemedicine and Teleconferences (Cedimat) to make one building of the hospital adequate for receiving coronavirus patients.
Grupo Rizek donated RD$50 million to help San Francisco de Macoris, the capital city of Duarte province, which was the first to suffer community spread of the disease. The disease overwhelmed the poor health infrastructure in both public and private sectors there.
The Association for the Development of Santiago (Asociación para el Desarrollo de Santiago) and Santiago Commitment Movement (Movimiento Compromiso Santiago) gave RD$30 million to bolster the facilities in Santiago.
BHD-Leon / Fundación Mapfre have donated RD$50 million to purchase 28,800 PCR diagnostics tests and other supplies.
Grupo SID, and the Bonetti, Armenteros and Vitienes families announced a donation of RD$50 million to be used at the Plaza de la Salud Hospital, the Order of Malta hospitals in Herrera, Haina and Monte Plata, the National District city government and hospitals in La Vega.
In Puerto Plata, the community has announced an initiative to collect financial contributions from different sources to provide institutions and relief groups with the necessary medical care, cleaning and preventive protection materials to enable them to continue their work. The Roman Catholic Church bishop’s office, the Federation of Evangelical Pastors, the Association of Hotels and Tourist Companies of the North, the Hotels of Sosúa and Cabarete, the Playa Dorada Sustainable Development Association, the Chamber of Commerce and Production of Puerto Plata, the Tourism Cluster and the Free Zone Corporation are part of the effort.
The Dominican Electronic Lottery (Leidsa) approved a donation of RD$11 million for equipment acquisition and medical supplies (gloves, masks, gowns, etc.). The owner of Leidsa lottery, Pedro Alegría, is senator for San Jose de Ocoa, the only province where there is yet to be a case of the virus.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...a-fondo-ayuda-contra-covid-19-en-puerto-plata
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...ona-rd-11-millones-para-enfrentar-el-covid-19
https://hoy.com.do/entidades-de-puerto-plata-crean-fondo-de-ayuda/
Dominicans who were caught abroad begin to return
Dominican consulates and embassies abroad have been assisting Dominicans to find flights or ships to return to the Dominican Republic. Their plight has been carried on social media. Many complained that when the government announced the shutdown of air and seaports, it gave only 24 hours for people to make alternate travel arrangements.
Among those returning were 32 Dominicans that were on board the Marella Discovery 2 that docked in the Port of Sans Souci in Santo Domingo under strict hygiene and safety measures. The ship then headed to Europe. The Dominicans will need to remain in special quarantine centers managed by the Navy for 14 days. Several sent to the isolation center said that the installations located in Punta Torrecilla in the Sans Souci area had not been adequated to receive the travelers.
The Rannik shipping agency had applied for special docking authorization on humanitarian grounds and was granted this on Saturday, 4 April. The ship continues to Europe.
Likewise, another 118 Dominicans who were stranded in the US arrived on a special chartered flight organized by the DR Consulate General in New York City. Business people, students and transit passengers arrived on Delta flight 8871. The flight included Dominicans who had been stranded in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, California, and the cities of Seattle and Miami after the government announced the cancellation of all flights in just 24 hours.
The registration of interested persons was done through the new WhatsApp messaging system of the Dominican Consulate, the "ChatBot" at +1-914-826-8091, where they wrote "stranded" to be registered.
As reported in Hoy, a first flight had been scheduled for Friday, 27 March, but the permit was revoked by the authorities of the Ministry of Public Health.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...trictas-medidas-de-seguridad-en-santo-domingo
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...s-118-dominicanos-que-estaban-varados-en-eeuu
https://hoy.com.do/dominicanos-varados-en-eeuu-regresan-a-rd-estaran-en-cuarentena-14-dias/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...en-eeuu-y-que-llegaron-este-sabado-MA18093953
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...elos-de-repatriacion-no-son-gratis-MP18067812
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...adas&utm_medium=bloque&utm_campaign=blueconic
The mayor closed their marketplace; they went elsewhere
Two weeks ago, the mayor of Santiago de los Caballeros, Abel Martinez, issued orders to close down Los Hospedajes, the century-old market in the lower part of the city. Vendors there sold fruits and staples for resale to the public. Some of the stalls there have been in the same family for more than three generations. There are stories that tell of some of the vendors who were even born in their stalls.
However, Los Hospedajes does not present a very hygienic picture to any visitor, and it is crowded with people. Given these circumstances, the mayor, fighting the blight of the coronavirus, decided to shut it down at least for a while. After all, it is a city-owned property.
But the banana and plantain trees keep producing, the vegetable fields of Tireo and Constanza keep yielding their fruits and vegetables and the yucca and batata farms of Moca are still producing. All of these crops and more, come to Santiago daily.
With the Hospedaje closed and sealed off with Jersey barriers on all four access points, many of the vendors and truckers have taken to open shop along the new South Beltway in Santiago, the one that follows the river Yaque. There, customers can haggle for staples with truckers or the odd vendor, along about a kilometer of the roadway. The vendors are defiant, saying that they are not willing to let themselves die of hunger. Given the massive transfer of products, the local city government (the Ayuntamiento) has been obliged to undertake campaigns of spraying disinfectants and undertake other sanitation efforts at the new market area.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2020/04/03/vendedores-ocupan-avenida-y-parques/
Detained or seized vehicles will remain impounded until curfew ends
Any vehicle that has been impounded during the current curfew period will remain at the old dog track (the Canódromo) until the curfew decree is lifted. This is the grim news from the head of the Traffic and Ground Transportation Agency (Digesett), General Ernesto Rodriguez Garcia. Decree 142-20 sets the 5pm until 6am curfew through 18 April 2020. Around 3,000 vehicles have been retained since the restrictions began on 20 March.
Once curfew is lifted, to retrieve the vehicle, the owner must pay the charges associated with the violation, present the receipt of payment along with a copy of the driver license, and a copy of vehicle registration and insurance to the Digesett.
https://eldia.com.do/vehiculos-permaneceran-retenidos-hasta-que-concluya-toque-de-queda/
Promese to provide controversial hydroxychloroquine to treat coronavirus
The Essential Medicine Program (Promese), the state-run, low cost, pharmaceutical provider, has announced that it has ample stores of hydroxychloroquine. The medication is used to prevent and treat malaria and is also used for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other sicknesses. It is taken by mouth.
The local medical authorities say the drug has proven to be effective treating seriously ill coronavirus patients. The drug reportedly was distributed to the nation’s hospitals where cases of coronavirus are being treated. The Ministry of Public Health says the drug will be applied under the protocols set up by the Pan American Health Organization.
This is the same drug that US President Donald Trump has been promoting for widespread use in the United States. Nevertheless, the president of the American Medical Association, Dr. Patrice Harris told CNN on 5 April 2020 that this is “inappropriate prescribing”. While the US FDA has approved the drug for emergency use, it has not been tested and has known severe side effects that could worsen the disease and cause deaths. The only technical studies available so far say it only has helped patients that had mild cases, not those seriously ill, and there is some question even then whether it was hydroxychloroquine that made the difference.
https://eldia.com.do/promese-suplir...xicloriquina-para-los-afectados-por-covid-19/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...strando-a-todos-los-pacientes-con-coronavirus
Coronavirus? Don’t forget the hurricanes!
With 90% of the media coverage dedicated to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, people tend to forget that we are very close to hurricane season in the Caribbean. Yes, just one issue after another. The good forecasters at the University of Colorado are saying that there could well be four major hurricanes this year; hurricanes in the three to five places in the Saffir-Simpson scale.
The season that officially that begins on 1 June and ends on 30 November is expected to have as many as 16 named storms, with as many as eight of these being hurricanes. The university forecasters are also saying that there are good possibilities that some of the storms could well reach landfall in the United States. In fact, they are saying that there is a 69% chance of this happening. The prognosis is that there is a 140% probability of an above-average season.
For the Dominican Republic, this means an added watchfulness and preparations for the arrival of these tropical disturbances.
https://engr.source.colostate.edu/csu-researchers-predicting-active-2020-atlantic-hurricane-season/
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2020/04/03/pronostican-cuatro-grandes-huracanes-en-el-atlantico-en-2020/
Juan Luis Guerra releases “Thank you!”
Dominican singer-songwriter Juan Luis Guerra was inspired to write "Gracias" on Friday, a Christian song he composed in the midst of the present global health crisis. In the Dominican Republic, 68 persons had died when the song was released.
Guerra is perhaps the most international artist of the Dominican Republic. He released the theme on his Instagram page. He specified the song is based on the biblical verse Philippians 4:6-7. The verse states: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-f9UQCh2qI/
https://eldia.com.do/juan-luis-guerra-lanza-gracias-en-medio-de-la-pandemia-por-el-coronavirus/
José Antonio Rodríguez composes “When All Is Over” to give hope
The Dominican ambassador to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Jose Antonio Rodríguez, composed a song, “When All is Over” (Cuando todo termine) to give hope in these days of Covid-19. In Paris, France, in an interview with Mariasela Alvarez for Esta Noche con Mariasela on Friday, he explained that there is optimism the disease will recede in France. “What happens in one country, happens in another, we have the same measures,” he explained. He said the crisis has united the people of France, and the French are taking it very seriously. He said he was motivated to write the song inspired by the medics, nurses and service staff that is risking their lives. “I wanted to be useful and started to write,” he said. “Time to leave speeches behind, solidarity is the only speech,” he said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iesgYIq7H8