901 cases, up from 859; the breakdown of Covid-19 cases in the DR
Gustavo Montalvo: Government has the monopoly on donations of medical supplies for Covid-19
Reasons why the Covid-19 fatality rate is so high in the DR: statistics, congregations and poor public health facilities
Why so many cases of Covid-19 in the Dominican Republic compared to other Caribbean and Central American countries?
National District markets to open only on Mondays and Thursdays
Sánchez Cárdenas: DR has 400 CDC-trained epidemiologists, medics from Cuba not needed
Fear of 14-day total lockdown sends thousands to supermarkets; roadblock feeds panic
Four die from Covid-19 at Sánchez Ramírez senior home
JCE keeps to the 15 May calendar for the presidential and congressional election
Orlando Jorge Mera: Elections can take place in time for 16 August change of government date
901 cases, up from 859; the breakdown of Covid-19 cases in the DR
There are 901 reported cases of Covid-19 in the Dominican Republic as of 6pm on 29 March 2020. Of these, 136 are hospitalized, 719 in home care, four have tested negative and 42 have died, for a 5% fatality rate. Covid-19 diagnostic tests are still very limited in the Dominican Republic. Since the first case was detected on 1 March 2020 only 2,595 persons have been tested, with 2,055 testing negative. This breaks down to around 100 tests per day.
Bulletin 11 reports an increase of 42 cases. Provinces where new cases are reported are: National District, Santo Domingo province, Duarte (San Francisco de Macorís), La Altagracia (Higuey, Veron, Punta Cana), La Romana, San Pedro de Macoris, Sánchez Ramírez (Cotuí), San Juan de la Maguana, Azua and Pedernales.
By place of residence, most of the cases are in the National District (42%) and the province of Santo Domingo (12%) that make up Greater Santo Domingo. Also in Santiago (11%) and Duarte (10%). Regarding the deaths, 52% (22/42) are in the province of Duarte (San Francisco de Macorís) for a death rate of 24%.
The breakdown of cases in the National District and the 31 provinces is:
National District: 381 cases, 5 new cases, 5 deaths, 1% mortality
Santo Domingo Province: 106 cases, 5 new cases, 5 deaths, 5% mortality
Santiago: 97 cases, no new cases, 2 deaths, 2% mortality
Duarte (San Francisco de Macorís): 90 cases, 7 new cases, 22 deaths, 24% mortality
La Vega: 48 cases, no new cases, 1 death, 2% mortality
La Altagracia (Higuey, Veron, Punta Cana): 21 cases, 8 new cases, 0% mortality
La Romana: 21 cases, 6 new cases, 0% mortality
San Pedro de Macorís: 17 cases, 1 new case, 2 deaths, 12% mortality
Puerto Plata: 16 cases, 0% mortality
Espaillat (Moca): 15 cases, 0% mortality
Hermanas Mirabal: 10 cases, 0% morality
San Cristóbal: 9 cases, 0% mortality
Samaná: 9 cases, 1 death, 11% mortality
Sánchez Ramírez (Cotuí): 7 cases, 2 new cases, 22% mortality
María Trinidad Sánchez (Salcedo): 4 cases, 0% mortality
Monseñor Nouel (Bonao): 11 cases, 1 death, 9% mortality
Hato Mayor: 2 cases, 0% mortality
San Juan de la Maguana: 5 cases, 2 new cases, 1 death, 20% mortality
Barahona: 3 cases, 1 new case, 0% mortality
Monte Plata: 1 case
Azua: 7 cases, 1 new case, 0% mortality
Independencia: 1 case, 0% mortality
Valverde: 2 cases, 0% mortality
Pedernales: 1 new case
Provinces with no reported cases of COVID-19:
Bahoruco, Dajabón, Elías Piña, El Seibo, and San José de Ocoa.
The first case of Covid-19 was detected on 1 March 2020, just two weeks before a municipal election was scheduled. On 20 March the government declared a State of Emergency and enacted a curfew and the closing of land, sea and airports.
The Ministry of Public Health continues to urge people stay at home, keep social distance, maximum hygiene, do not touch faces, and exercise self-isolation when having symptoms or having been in contact with persons who have tested positive or have symptoms.
Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas says the most cases are located in the National District in the Km-Independencia area, and middle class neighorhoods in the urban center. He said Santiago cases are attributed to the large number of physicians who caught the disease on board the Costa Favolosa cruise ship and returned without symptoms to spread the disease.
https://www.msp.gob.do/web/?page_id=6682
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...nde-de-manera-adecuada-situacion-por-covid-19
https://hoy.com.do/pandemia-covid-19-registra-42-muertes-y-901-casos-rd/
Gustavo Montalvo: Government has the monopoly on donations of medical supplies for Covid-19
Minister of the Presidency Gustavo Montalvo announced on Monday, 30 March 2020 new measures. He is the president of the High Commission for the Prevention of Coronavirus.
He expressed appreciation to the entities that are offering donations of medicines and medical supplies. All private initiative is welcome and more important than ever, he said. And then he told these that while people can freely donate food, in the case of medical equipment, pharmaceutical or diagnostic tests, these need to be made to the government and these will be distributed to the public through official channels. “In no case can these be donated directly to the population by third parties. These would only generate confusion and uncertainty in a time when the country needs protocols very clearly defined. Only those in charge of public health can decide the use of the donations,” he said.
He said government agencies and private insurance companies have reached agreements for the coverage of the diagnostic tests. The government issued Resolution No. 229-2020. It establishes that the health insurance companies, ARS will now cover the PCR tests to their affiliates. Senasa will cover the tests of those that are not affiliated. The tests will be applied to those with two or more symptoms, have traveled from abroad, or have been in contact with persons who have suffered the disease. Appointments are necessary, nevertheless. Two private laboratories, Amadita and Referencia are also carrying out the diagnostic tests.
He said government agencies are carrying out operations to reduce to a minimum the vectors and other possible causes of other diseases that could worsen the national health situation.
Montalvo also announced that as of 30 March, police and military have increased street patrols all throughout the day nationwide to ensure that the curfew and social distance measures in open areas are met. He said the information on the extension of the curfew to 24 hours was fake news. The curfew hours continue to be from 5pm to 6am. No authority that is not the President of the Republic or the High Commission for the Prevention of the Coronavirus can modify that measure, he stated in his televised remarks to the nation on Monday, 30 March.
He said that last week most of the population showed to be aware of the responsibility for all to comply with the stay at home measures. He said the police and military will ensure that a small minority may not put at danger the health of all.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2020/03...ncia-nuevas-medidas-ante-covid-19-en-el-pais/
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...atorio-covid-19-para-afiliados-y-no-afiliados
Reasons why the Covid-19 fatality rate is so high in the DR: statistics, congregations and poor public health facilities
Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas explained that Dominican statistics on Covid-19 will change once more diagnostic tests become available. Once more tests are carried out hundreds more of persons with Covid-19 virus are expected to be detected. At the same time, the death rate will decline for the country. This is because the Covid-19 fatality rate is calculated by dividing the number of deaths by the total number of confirmed cases. In the Dominican Republic mostly only the seriously ill are being tested, and thus the higher case fatality rate, as a higher proportion of these patients will die.
As of 6pm on Monday, 29 March 2020, there were 901 cases tested positive in the Dominican Republic and 42 deaths. Since when the first case of Covid-19 was diagnosed on 1 March, only 2,590 persons had been officially tested.
The Public Works Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas has said that the government is working to step up the number of diagnostic tests that are available to the population. When there are more tests, then the statistical comparisons will give a better idea of the situation, said the minister. He said once there are more tests carried out and there are more positives, the relative number of deaths will decline.
Sánchez Cárdenas has announced that expanded diagnostic testing will start this week. He announced the insurance companies and governmental Sisalril had reached an agreement for the coverage of these tests. At present, many complain the tests are only available to government officers, the rich and famous, and those with the right contacts. The waiting lists to be tested are long. The situation is expected to change this week.
Speaking during the press briefing to announce the results of Bulletin 11, Sánchez Cárdenas explained why San Francisco de Macorís has so many deaths. The province has 13 deaths compared to 5 in the cities of Santiago and the National District, with many times its population. “The hospitals are not the best,” he admitted. He said many patients were sent to Santiago hospitals, when the city medical services were overwhelmed. San Francisco de Macorís was also the first city to have local transmission. This occurred when most people were unaware that the person coughing or sneezing near them could have a serious and very contagious disease.
Investigative journalist Alicia Ortega on her “El Informe con Alicia Ortega” report on Channel 9 on Monday, 30 March 2020, presented evidence that Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas is being overly optimistic about actions the government is taking to counter the rising epidemic in San Francisco de Macorís. She showed footage of the San Vicente de Paul public hospital in the city, that is the chosen hospital for Covid-19 cases, where areas have yet to be prepared to deal with sick patients. A physician told the journalist that she has long been on a waiting list to be tested for the disease while continuing to attend to patients.
The province of Duarte and its capital city, San Francisco de Macoris, reports 90 cases, 7 new cases as of 6pm on 30 March 2020, 22 deaths, 24% mortality.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...nde-de-manera-adecuada-situacion-por-covid-19
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PanhCmHDXXQ&list=PLAB862043742DD4B9&index=2&t=0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZi7FkvcNdE&list=PLAB862043742DD4B9&index=3&t=0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQmegUxtMCg&list=PLAB862043742DD4B9&index=4&t=0s
Why so many cases of Covid-19 in the Dominican Republic compared to other Caribbean and Central American countries?
Experts say the explanation for the high number of positive cases is that several circumstances combined for a perfect storm situation for the virus. Take a country with very large numbers of expats and tourists traveling in and out, the best air connections in the Caribbean and Central America, a booming cruise ship business, and add to that an intense electoral process, February carnival events, the gregarious nature of the population, and the humongous yet inadequate public health system. That explains why the DR now has the highest number of reported cases.
The first case of the virus was confirmed on 1 March 2020. In a month’s time, there are already 901 confirmed cases, according to Bulletin 11 that registers cases up to 29 March 2020.
The actual number of Covid-19 cases is unknown and should be much higher than the official number. The official numbers do not yet include people who have had mild symptoms and were not tested, or did not seek medical help, or perhaps were asymptomatic, meaning their infection was so mild that they didn't even know they had Covid-19. This situation is the same for most countries around the world.
Speaking during 30 March press briefing, Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas says the ministry is carrying out research to have a better picture of the behavior of the disease in the country. He said it is not true the virus is performing in the Dominican Republic the way it did in Italy or Spain. He stressed that anyone who compares Italy and the Dominican Republic is ignoring that the demography in the Dominican Republic is very different than that of Italy or Spain. He said New York has a higher fatality rate. “We will soon present new information to dispute those who want to present the country as the worst case that it is not,” he said.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...nde-de-manera-adecuada-situacion-por-covid-19
National District markets to open only on Mondays and Thursdays
The city government of the National District announced that produce markets will only open on Mondays and Thursdays. The schedule applies to the Duarte, Modelo, Honduras, Los Guandules, Cristo Rey and Villa Consuelo markets that will open Mondays and Tuesdays until 2pm.
https://eldia.com.do/mercados-de-la...-y-los-guandules-abriran-solo-lunes-y-jueves/
Sánchez Cárdenas: DR has 400 CDC-trained epidemiologists, medics from Cuba not needed
Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas turned down a request from sectors in San Francisco de Macorís to import doctors from Cuba. During the press briefing, the minister explained the country has the human resources it needs to tackle the situation. He explained the Ministry of Public Health in collaboration with the United States Center for Disease Control has trained 400 epidemiologists. He said the country will continue to apply the recommendations of the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization.
He said that if the citizens heeded the government recommendations to not congregate and kept to self-isolation measures, the health capacity of San Francisco de Macorís hospitals would not have been overwhelmed. He called for the town to contribute, putting an end to playing street games (vitilla), cock fighting and domino games. He said all these activities are facilitating the local transmission that all want to curb. A recent video showed people competing in a cockfighting game wearing medical masks.
He said that medics from other hospitals are being mobilized to work in San Francisco. He observed that medical services in the National District and Santiago has been delegated to last year interns to free the bosses to work in provinces where they are most needed. He made the comments during the question and answer session of the Tuesday, 30 March 2020 press briefing on the new coronavirus.
The Public Health Minister called for the people of San Francisco to cooperate with medics and police and stay home for their own good. San Francisco is by population the city with the highest fatality rate.
Investigative journalist Alicia Ortega on her “El Informe con Alicia Ortega” report on Channel 9 on Monday, 30 March 2020, revealed the deficient hospital facilities in San Francisco has much of the blame for the high number of deaths. She showed footage of the very deficient hospital facilities, including at the San Vicente de Paul public hospital the government has chosen to treat patients.
Public Health Minister Sánchez Cárdenas has said earlier that the country is now suffering the consequences of the congregations of persons leading to the 15 March municipal election, the carnival period and the celebrations after the elections that lead to the spreading of the disease.
The province of Duarte and its capital city, San Francisco de Macoris, reports 90 cases, 7 new cases as of 6pm on 30 March 2020, 22 deaths, 24% mortality.
https://hoy.com.do/juegan-gallos-domino-y-vitilla-la-otra-cara-del-coronavirus-en-sfm/
https://hoy.com.do/san-francisco-mu...-por-coronavirus-clama-auxilio-al-presidente/
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...nde-de-manera-adecuada-situacion-por-covid-19
https://eldia.com.do/san-francisco-...uertes-a-mayoria-de-paises-de-america-latina/
https://eldia.com.do/domino-galleras-y-vitillas-la-transgresion-de-los-macorisanos/
Fear of 14-day total lockdown sends thousands to supermarkets; roadblock feeds panic
On Sunday, 29 March 2020 Dominicans read several social media messages “tipping” people that a total lockdown would be declared. Thousands headed for the supermarkets to replenish their stocks. Dominicans have been ordered to stay at home since 20 March 2020. Making matters worse on Monday, nevertheless, at the end of the 6am curfew, hundreds of persons transiting from eastern Santo Domingo to the National District met with an unexplained roadblock at the Juan Bosch Bridge over the Ozama River. The roadblock would not be lifted until 9am.
Defense Minister Ruben Paulino Sem explained the measure saying the roadblocks at the entry and exit points of the Great Santo Domingo were to control these and ensure that no unnecessary mobilizations are being carried out. There is no legal disposition that impedes people from circulating outside of the curfew hours, nor have these been extended outside of the 5pm to 6am hours.
Spokesman for the Police Colonel Frank Duran Mejía defended the roadblock as part of a tightening of controls on entry and exit against the spreading of the virus. The roadblock was maintained from 6am to 9am on the bridge and caused major inconveniences to thousands.
TV reporters showed views of the blocked vehicles and when this went viral, the uncertainties and thousands reacted going to the stores to shop. They were met with long lines as supermarkets have instituted obligation to keep a meter between every person entering the store. To shop, a facial mask is required.
The roadblock seemed to confirm the messages that were circulating on social media that a 24-hour curfew would be called. Even more people took to the stores to stock up for the would-be 14-day lockdown. Given that most unessential businesses are closed, thousands had the time to go shopping. The agglomeration of people was exactly what the Ministry of Public Health had been recommending against.
On the morning of Monday, 30 March 2020, Administrative Minister of the Presidency said that the government is not contemplating a total lockdown to stop the virus.
Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas had said on Monday that San Francisco de Macorís is being taken as a model city of worst scenario for the spreading of the disease. He said what happens there will determine whether more drastic measures are taken. The director of the Police, Major General Ney Aldrin Bautista has said the Police has “shut down the city plan” but this would not be enacted without an order from the High Commission for the Prevention of the Coronavirus.
Dr. Waldo Ariel Suero of the Medical Association and several medical associations have called for the total lockdown for 14 days to curb the disease. Dr. Suero says only this measure will curb the disease. “It has the advantage that it avoids spreading the disease, detects the cases when persons without symptoms become ill at home, making these easy to locate, and isolates the ill,” said Suero.
Business sectors see the 14-day measure as a short-term hardship that will reduce having to keep other less strict measures for longer. William Figuereo, spokesman for a large passenger transport company, said on TV: “If this is what we have to do, then we will have to do it.” He said it had worked in other countries.
Sociologist Melvin Mañón writes that the total lockdown is not practical because the government has no way to enforce it. He pointed to the difficulties the government is having in implementing the 5pm to 6am curfew. Around 2,000 people every day are arrested by the Police and military for violating the curfew. Hundreds of thousands of residents in the Dominican Republic are employed in businesses that have had to close, sending workers home without pay. This includes thousands of Haitians that worked in construction, hotels and restaurants. Hundreds have started to return to Haiti, where the disease is just starting.
Diario Libre reported on 31 March 2020 that around 120,000 workers had been suspended without pay at the Ministry of Labor.
https://hoy.com.do/miedo-a-cuarentena-supermercados-estan-llenos-de-gente/
https://z101digital.com/corona-o-comida-los-haitianos-sin-trabajo-ni-ayudas-en-republica-dominicana/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...s-estas-medidas-seran-las-24-horas-GH17985715
https://z101digital.com/corona-o-comida-los-haitianos-sin-trabajo-ni-ayudas-en-republica-dominicana/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...-no-hay-toque-de-queda-de-24-horas-MH17986138
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2020/03/31/el-comercio-se-activa-por-posibles-medidas/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ca-de-sus-casas-a-miles-en-busca-de-alimentos
Four die from Covid-19 at Sánchez Ramírez senior home
Reports are on the deaths of four seniors that were living at a government run senior home, Hogar de Ancianos Club de Leones in northeastern Sánchez Ramírez.
Dionis Antigua Rodríguez, director of the center, said that neither the Ministry of Public Health nor the National Council for the Aging (Conape) had responded to calls for medical assistance.
Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas announced that the senior home in Sánchez Ramírez province (Cotuí) has been intervened by the Ministry of Public Health authorities. He said the home runs under the programs of the National Council for the Aging (Conape).
He said the senior home in Sánchez Ramírez had been intervened and sanitized. He said at the home there were 36 seniors and 6 nuns, for a total of 42 persons living at the center. Of these 12 seniors and four nuns were transferred to hospitals after suffering Covid-19 symptoms. Now remaining at the home are 21 seniors, two nuns, two nurses and two paramedics, or 17 persons.
He said a Cotuí businessman has offered to assist in delivering meals from the state canteens (comedores economicos).
Sánchez Cárdenas criticized that the center’s manager spent time in New York during the crisis. He said the government would act given the difficulties created by the negligence. He did not name the person.
https://www.conape.gob.do/
https://elnuevodiario.com.do/video-...a-administracion-de-asilo-en-sanchez-ramirez/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...lo-de-cotui-dos-tenian-coronavirus-EH17980163
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...nde-de-manera-adecuada-situacion-por-covid-19
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ion-en-cotui-por-muertes-de-ancianos-en-asilo
JCE keeps to the 15 May calendar for the presidential and congressional election
The plenary of the Central Electoral Board (JCE) says it is going ahead with the organization of the presidential and congressional election set for 17 May 2020. The JCE has sent the daily programming for the preparing of the elections to the political parties, with a final list of activities expected to be ready by 6 April. According to the agenda, the bidding process for the printing of the ballots needs to be held from 1 to 10 April, with the printing of the ballots scheduled for 15 April 2020.
The Dominican Republic is in a declared State of Emergency until 14 April 2020. The Dominican Republic is in curfew period since Friday, 28 March through Friday, 3 April 2020. The State of Emergency and the curfew could be extended.
Recent polls in early March showed the opposition party Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) with a comfortable lead over the ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), prior to the onset of the coronavirus crisis following the 15 March municipal election. PRM delegate to the JCE Orlando Jorge Mera has said the party is open to a postponement but that the election should take place in time for the change of government on 16 August 2020. Other parties have spoken in favor of the postponing of the election.
A ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) legislator for Independencia province, Juan Olando Mercedes had proposed elections be moved for 2021 due to the Covid-19 virus. But the president of the PLD, Temístocles Montás disallowed him to speak for the party. Administrative Minister of the Presidency Jose Ramón Peralta said that President Danilo Medina would not remain in power one minute after the 10am change of government deadline on 16 August 2020.
The United States State Department notified the Dominican Consulate in New York that holding of face-to-face elections are not allowed in the United States during the times of Covid-19 virus. The State Department recommends voting by mail or any other method that does not involve physical presence. There are around 600,000 Dominicans registered to vote in the presidential and congressional elections, of which around 400,000 live in the United States, most in the state of New York.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...-mas-de-400-mil-electores-criollos-NG17991873
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...para-las-elecciones-del-17-de-mayo-GJ18007111
https://hoy.com.do/jce-sigue-en-elecciones-17-mayo-pese-a-coronavirus-remite-calendario/
https://z101digital.com/jce-envia-a-los-partidos-la-agenda-de-actividades-para-elecciones-de-mayo/
https://eldia.com.do/siete-partidos-sugieren-posponer-comicios-de-mayo/
Orlando Jorge Mera: Elections can take place in time for 16 August change of government
The position of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) is that if the 17 May 2020 presidential and congressional election needs to be postponed due to the Covid-19 virus situation, the elections should always take place prior to the 16 August date for the inauguration of the new government. In an op-ed feature in El Dia, Orlando Jorge Mera, who is the PRM delegate to the Central Electoral Board (JCE) said that proposals for an extension of the present government of President Danilo Medina because of the crisis “is totally unacceptable.”
“To celebrate elections in times of a pandemic is not an easy task, but it cannot be seen as impossible, when reasonable measures are taken to protect people’s health and democracy,” he wrote. He said the International Foundation for Electoral Systems has shared instructions on the matter that were the result of consultations with the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) of the United States. “Guidelines and Recommendations for Electoral Activities during the Covid-19 Pandemic” can be downloaded at
http://www.electionguide.org/digest/post/17592/
https://eldia.com.do/elecciones-en-tiempos-del-covid-19/
Gustavo Montalvo: Government has the monopoly on donations of medical supplies for Covid-19
Reasons why the Covid-19 fatality rate is so high in the DR: statistics, congregations and poor public health facilities
Why so many cases of Covid-19 in the Dominican Republic compared to other Caribbean and Central American countries?
National District markets to open only on Mondays and Thursdays
Sánchez Cárdenas: DR has 400 CDC-trained epidemiologists, medics from Cuba not needed
Fear of 14-day total lockdown sends thousands to supermarkets; roadblock feeds panic
Four die from Covid-19 at Sánchez Ramírez senior home
JCE keeps to the 15 May calendar for the presidential and congressional election
Orlando Jorge Mera: Elections can take place in time for 16 August change of government date
901 cases, up from 859; the breakdown of Covid-19 cases in the DR
There are 901 reported cases of Covid-19 in the Dominican Republic as of 6pm on 29 March 2020. Of these, 136 are hospitalized, 719 in home care, four have tested negative and 42 have died, for a 5% fatality rate. Covid-19 diagnostic tests are still very limited in the Dominican Republic. Since the first case was detected on 1 March 2020 only 2,595 persons have been tested, with 2,055 testing negative. This breaks down to around 100 tests per day.
Bulletin 11 reports an increase of 42 cases. Provinces where new cases are reported are: National District, Santo Domingo province, Duarte (San Francisco de Macorís), La Altagracia (Higuey, Veron, Punta Cana), La Romana, San Pedro de Macoris, Sánchez Ramírez (Cotuí), San Juan de la Maguana, Azua and Pedernales.
By place of residence, most of the cases are in the National District (42%) and the province of Santo Domingo (12%) that make up Greater Santo Domingo. Also in Santiago (11%) and Duarte (10%). Regarding the deaths, 52% (22/42) are in the province of Duarte (San Francisco de Macorís) for a death rate of 24%.
The breakdown of cases in the National District and the 31 provinces is:
National District: 381 cases, 5 new cases, 5 deaths, 1% mortality
Santo Domingo Province: 106 cases, 5 new cases, 5 deaths, 5% mortality
Santiago: 97 cases, no new cases, 2 deaths, 2% mortality
Duarte (San Francisco de Macorís): 90 cases, 7 new cases, 22 deaths, 24% mortality
La Vega: 48 cases, no new cases, 1 death, 2% mortality
La Altagracia (Higuey, Veron, Punta Cana): 21 cases, 8 new cases, 0% mortality
La Romana: 21 cases, 6 new cases, 0% mortality
San Pedro de Macorís: 17 cases, 1 new case, 2 deaths, 12% mortality
Puerto Plata: 16 cases, 0% mortality
Espaillat (Moca): 15 cases, 0% mortality
Hermanas Mirabal: 10 cases, 0% morality
San Cristóbal: 9 cases, 0% mortality
Samaná: 9 cases, 1 death, 11% mortality
Sánchez Ramírez (Cotuí): 7 cases, 2 new cases, 22% mortality
María Trinidad Sánchez (Salcedo): 4 cases, 0% mortality
Monseñor Nouel (Bonao): 11 cases, 1 death, 9% mortality
Hato Mayor: 2 cases, 0% mortality
San Juan de la Maguana: 5 cases, 2 new cases, 1 death, 20% mortality
Barahona: 3 cases, 1 new case, 0% mortality
Monte Plata: 1 case
Azua: 7 cases, 1 new case, 0% mortality
Independencia: 1 case, 0% mortality
Valverde: 2 cases, 0% mortality
Pedernales: 1 new case
Provinces with no reported cases of COVID-19:
Bahoruco, Dajabón, Elías Piña, El Seibo, and San José de Ocoa.
The first case of Covid-19 was detected on 1 March 2020, just two weeks before a municipal election was scheduled. On 20 March the government declared a State of Emergency and enacted a curfew and the closing of land, sea and airports.
The Ministry of Public Health continues to urge people stay at home, keep social distance, maximum hygiene, do not touch faces, and exercise self-isolation when having symptoms or having been in contact with persons who have tested positive or have symptoms.
Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas says the most cases are located in the National District in the Km-Independencia area, and middle class neighorhoods in the urban center. He said Santiago cases are attributed to the large number of physicians who caught the disease on board the Costa Favolosa cruise ship and returned without symptoms to spread the disease.
https://www.msp.gob.do/web/?page_id=6682
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...nde-de-manera-adecuada-situacion-por-covid-19
https://hoy.com.do/pandemia-covid-19-registra-42-muertes-y-901-casos-rd/
Gustavo Montalvo: Government has the monopoly on donations of medical supplies for Covid-19
Minister of the Presidency Gustavo Montalvo announced on Monday, 30 March 2020 new measures. He is the president of the High Commission for the Prevention of Coronavirus.
He expressed appreciation to the entities that are offering donations of medicines and medical supplies. All private initiative is welcome and more important than ever, he said. And then he told these that while people can freely donate food, in the case of medical equipment, pharmaceutical or diagnostic tests, these need to be made to the government and these will be distributed to the public through official channels. “In no case can these be donated directly to the population by third parties. These would only generate confusion and uncertainty in a time when the country needs protocols very clearly defined. Only those in charge of public health can decide the use of the donations,” he said.
He said government agencies and private insurance companies have reached agreements for the coverage of the diagnostic tests. The government issued Resolution No. 229-2020. It establishes that the health insurance companies, ARS will now cover the PCR tests to their affiliates. Senasa will cover the tests of those that are not affiliated. The tests will be applied to those with two or more symptoms, have traveled from abroad, or have been in contact with persons who have suffered the disease. Appointments are necessary, nevertheless. Two private laboratories, Amadita and Referencia are also carrying out the diagnostic tests.
He said government agencies are carrying out operations to reduce to a minimum the vectors and other possible causes of other diseases that could worsen the national health situation.
Montalvo also announced that as of 30 March, police and military have increased street patrols all throughout the day nationwide to ensure that the curfew and social distance measures in open areas are met. He said the information on the extension of the curfew to 24 hours was fake news. The curfew hours continue to be from 5pm to 6am. No authority that is not the President of the Republic or the High Commission for the Prevention of the Coronavirus can modify that measure, he stated in his televised remarks to the nation on Monday, 30 March.
He said that last week most of the population showed to be aware of the responsibility for all to comply with the stay at home measures. He said the police and military will ensure that a small minority may not put at danger the health of all.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2020/03...ncia-nuevas-medidas-ante-covid-19-en-el-pais/
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...atorio-covid-19-para-afiliados-y-no-afiliados
Reasons why the Covid-19 fatality rate is so high in the DR: statistics, congregations and poor public health facilities
Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas explained that Dominican statistics on Covid-19 will change once more diagnostic tests become available. Once more tests are carried out hundreds more of persons with Covid-19 virus are expected to be detected. At the same time, the death rate will decline for the country. This is because the Covid-19 fatality rate is calculated by dividing the number of deaths by the total number of confirmed cases. In the Dominican Republic mostly only the seriously ill are being tested, and thus the higher case fatality rate, as a higher proportion of these patients will die.
As of 6pm on Monday, 29 March 2020, there were 901 cases tested positive in the Dominican Republic and 42 deaths. Since when the first case of Covid-19 was diagnosed on 1 March, only 2,590 persons had been officially tested.
The Public Works Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas has said that the government is working to step up the number of diagnostic tests that are available to the population. When there are more tests, then the statistical comparisons will give a better idea of the situation, said the minister. He said once there are more tests carried out and there are more positives, the relative number of deaths will decline.
Sánchez Cárdenas has announced that expanded diagnostic testing will start this week. He announced the insurance companies and governmental Sisalril had reached an agreement for the coverage of these tests. At present, many complain the tests are only available to government officers, the rich and famous, and those with the right contacts. The waiting lists to be tested are long. The situation is expected to change this week.
Speaking during the press briefing to announce the results of Bulletin 11, Sánchez Cárdenas explained why San Francisco de Macorís has so many deaths. The province has 13 deaths compared to 5 in the cities of Santiago and the National District, with many times its population. “The hospitals are not the best,” he admitted. He said many patients were sent to Santiago hospitals, when the city medical services were overwhelmed. San Francisco de Macorís was also the first city to have local transmission. This occurred when most people were unaware that the person coughing or sneezing near them could have a serious and very contagious disease.
Investigative journalist Alicia Ortega on her “El Informe con Alicia Ortega” report on Channel 9 on Monday, 30 March 2020, presented evidence that Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas is being overly optimistic about actions the government is taking to counter the rising epidemic in San Francisco de Macorís. She showed footage of the San Vicente de Paul public hospital in the city, that is the chosen hospital for Covid-19 cases, where areas have yet to be prepared to deal with sick patients. A physician told the journalist that she has long been on a waiting list to be tested for the disease while continuing to attend to patients.
The province of Duarte and its capital city, San Francisco de Macoris, reports 90 cases, 7 new cases as of 6pm on 30 March 2020, 22 deaths, 24% mortality.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...nde-de-manera-adecuada-situacion-por-covid-19
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PanhCmHDXXQ&list=PLAB862043742DD4B9&index=2&t=0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZi7FkvcNdE&list=PLAB862043742DD4B9&index=3&t=0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQmegUxtMCg&list=PLAB862043742DD4B9&index=4&t=0s
Why so many cases of Covid-19 in the Dominican Republic compared to other Caribbean and Central American countries?
Experts say the explanation for the high number of positive cases is that several circumstances combined for a perfect storm situation for the virus. Take a country with very large numbers of expats and tourists traveling in and out, the best air connections in the Caribbean and Central America, a booming cruise ship business, and add to that an intense electoral process, February carnival events, the gregarious nature of the population, and the humongous yet inadequate public health system. That explains why the DR now has the highest number of reported cases.
The first case of the virus was confirmed on 1 March 2020. In a month’s time, there are already 901 confirmed cases, according to Bulletin 11 that registers cases up to 29 March 2020.
The actual number of Covid-19 cases is unknown and should be much higher than the official number. The official numbers do not yet include people who have had mild symptoms and were not tested, or did not seek medical help, or perhaps were asymptomatic, meaning their infection was so mild that they didn't even know they had Covid-19. This situation is the same for most countries around the world.
Speaking during 30 March press briefing, Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas says the ministry is carrying out research to have a better picture of the behavior of the disease in the country. He said it is not true the virus is performing in the Dominican Republic the way it did in Italy or Spain. He stressed that anyone who compares Italy and the Dominican Republic is ignoring that the demography in the Dominican Republic is very different than that of Italy or Spain. He said New York has a higher fatality rate. “We will soon present new information to dispute those who want to present the country as the worst case that it is not,” he said.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...nde-de-manera-adecuada-situacion-por-covid-19
National District markets to open only on Mondays and Thursdays
The city government of the National District announced that produce markets will only open on Mondays and Thursdays. The schedule applies to the Duarte, Modelo, Honduras, Los Guandules, Cristo Rey and Villa Consuelo markets that will open Mondays and Tuesdays until 2pm.
https://eldia.com.do/mercados-de-la...-y-los-guandules-abriran-solo-lunes-y-jueves/
Sánchez Cárdenas: DR has 400 CDC-trained epidemiologists, medics from Cuba not needed
Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas turned down a request from sectors in San Francisco de Macorís to import doctors from Cuba. During the press briefing, the minister explained the country has the human resources it needs to tackle the situation. He explained the Ministry of Public Health in collaboration with the United States Center for Disease Control has trained 400 epidemiologists. He said the country will continue to apply the recommendations of the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization.
He said that if the citizens heeded the government recommendations to not congregate and kept to self-isolation measures, the health capacity of San Francisco de Macorís hospitals would not have been overwhelmed. He called for the town to contribute, putting an end to playing street games (vitilla), cock fighting and domino games. He said all these activities are facilitating the local transmission that all want to curb. A recent video showed people competing in a cockfighting game wearing medical masks.
He said that medics from other hospitals are being mobilized to work in San Francisco. He observed that medical services in the National District and Santiago has been delegated to last year interns to free the bosses to work in provinces where they are most needed. He made the comments during the question and answer session of the Tuesday, 30 March 2020 press briefing on the new coronavirus.
The Public Health Minister called for the people of San Francisco to cooperate with medics and police and stay home for their own good. San Francisco is by population the city with the highest fatality rate.
Investigative journalist Alicia Ortega on her “El Informe con Alicia Ortega” report on Channel 9 on Monday, 30 March 2020, revealed the deficient hospital facilities in San Francisco has much of the blame for the high number of deaths. She showed footage of the very deficient hospital facilities, including at the San Vicente de Paul public hospital the government has chosen to treat patients.
Public Health Minister Sánchez Cárdenas has said earlier that the country is now suffering the consequences of the congregations of persons leading to the 15 March municipal election, the carnival period and the celebrations after the elections that lead to the spreading of the disease.
The province of Duarte and its capital city, San Francisco de Macoris, reports 90 cases, 7 new cases as of 6pm on 30 March 2020, 22 deaths, 24% mortality.
https://hoy.com.do/juegan-gallos-domino-y-vitilla-la-otra-cara-del-coronavirus-en-sfm/
https://hoy.com.do/san-francisco-mu...-por-coronavirus-clama-auxilio-al-presidente/
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...nde-de-manera-adecuada-situacion-por-covid-19
https://eldia.com.do/san-francisco-...uertes-a-mayoria-de-paises-de-america-latina/
https://eldia.com.do/domino-galleras-y-vitillas-la-transgresion-de-los-macorisanos/
Fear of 14-day total lockdown sends thousands to supermarkets; roadblock feeds panic
On Sunday, 29 March 2020 Dominicans read several social media messages “tipping” people that a total lockdown would be declared. Thousands headed for the supermarkets to replenish their stocks. Dominicans have been ordered to stay at home since 20 March 2020. Making matters worse on Monday, nevertheless, at the end of the 6am curfew, hundreds of persons transiting from eastern Santo Domingo to the National District met with an unexplained roadblock at the Juan Bosch Bridge over the Ozama River. The roadblock would not be lifted until 9am.
Defense Minister Ruben Paulino Sem explained the measure saying the roadblocks at the entry and exit points of the Great Santo Domingo were to control these and ensure that no unnecessary mobilizations are being carried out. There is no legal disposition that impedes people from circulating outside of the curfew hours, nor have these been extended outside of the 5pm to 6am hours.
Spokesman for the Police Colonel Frank Duran Mejía defended the roadblock as part of a tightening of controls on entry and exit against the spreading of the virus. The roadblock was maintained from 6am to 9am on the bridge and caused major inconveniences to thousands.
TV reporters showed views of the blocked vehicles and when this went viral, the uncertainties and thousands reacted going to the stores to shop. They were met with long lines as supermarkets have instituted obligation to keep a meter between every person entering the store. To shop, a facial mask is required.
The roadblock seemed to confirm the messages that were circulating on social media that a 24-hour curfew would be called. Even more people took to the stores to stock up for the would-be 14-day lockdown. Given that most unessential businesses are closed, thousands had the time to go shopping. The agglomeration of people was exactly what the Ministry of Public Health had been recommending against.
On the morning of Monday, 30 March 2020, Administrative Minister of the Presidency said that the government is not contemplating a total lockdown to stop the virus.
Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas had said on Monday that San Francisco de Macorís is being taken as a model city of worst scenario for the spreading of the disease. He said what happens there will determine whether more drastic measures are taken. The director of the Police, Major General Ney Aldrin Bautista has said the Police has “shut down the city plan” but this would not be enacted without an order from the High Commission for the Prevention of the Coronavirus.
Dr. Waldo Ariel Suero of the Medical Association and several medical associations have called for the total lockdown for 14 days to curb the disease. Dr. Suero says only this measure will curb the disease. “It has the advantage that it avoids spreading the disease, detects the cases when persons without symptoms become ill at home, making these easy to locate, and isolates the ill,” said Suero.
Business sectors see the 14-day measure as a short-term hardship that will reduce having to keep other less strict measures for longer. William Figuereo, spokesman for a large passenger transport company, said on TV: “If this is what we have to do, then we will have to do it.” He said it had worked in other countries.
Sociologist Melvin Mañón writes that the total lockdown is not practical because the government has no way to enforce it. He pointed to the difficulties the government is having in implementing the 5pm to 6am curfew. Around 2,000 people every day are arrested by the Police and military for violating the curfew. Hundreds of thousands of residents in the Dominican Republic are employed in businesses that have had to close, sending workers home without pay. This includes thousands of Haitians that worked in construction, hotels and restaurants. Hundreds have started to return to Haiti, where the disease is just starting.
Diario Libre reported on 31 March 2020 that around 120,000 workers had been suspended without pay at the Ministry of Labor.
https://hoy.com.do/miedo-a-cuarentena-supermercados-estan-llenos-de-gente/
https://z101digital.com/corona-o-comida-los-haitianos-sin-trabajo-ni-ayudas-en-republica-dominicana/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...s-estas-medidas-seran-las-24-horas-GH17985715
https://z101digital.com/corona-o-comida-los-haitianos-sin-trabajo-ni-ayudas-en-republica-dominicana/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...-no-hay-toque-de-queda-de-24-horas-MH17986138
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2020/03/31/el-comercio-se-activa-por-posibles-medidas/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ca-de-sus-casas-a-miles-en-busca-de-alimentos
Four die from Covid-19 at Sánchez Ramírez senior home
Reports are on the deaths of four seniors that were living at a government run senior home, Hogar de Ancianos Club de Leones in northeastern Sánchez Ramírez.
Dionis Antigua Rodríguez, director of the center, said that neither the Ministry of Public Health nor the National Council for the Aging (Conape) had responded to calls for medical assistance.
Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas announced that the senior home in Sánchez Ramírez province (Cotuí) has been intervened by the Ministry of Public Health authorities. He said the home runs under the programs of the National Council for the Aging (Conape).
He said the senior home in Sánchez Ramírez had been intervened and sanitized. He said at the home there were 36 seniors and 6 nuns, for a total of 42 persons living at the center. Of these 12 seniors and four nuns were transferred to hospitals after suffering Covid-19 symptoms. Now remaining at the home are 21 seniors, two nuns, two nurses and two paramedics, or 17 persons.
He said a Cotuí businessman has offered to assist in delivering meals from the state canteens (comedores economicos).
Sánchez Cárdenas criticized that the center’s manager spent time in New York during the crisis. He said the government would act given the difficulties created by the negligence. He did not name the person.
https://www.conape.gob.do/
https://elnuevodiario.com.do/video-...a-administracion-de-asilo-en-sanchez-ramirez/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...lo-de-cotui-dos-tenian-coronavirus-EH17980163
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...nde-de-manera-adecuada-situacion-por-covid-19
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ion-en-cotui-por-muertes-de-ancianos-en-asilo
JCE keeps to the 15 May calendar for the presidential and congressional election
The plenary of the Central Electoral Board (JCE) says it is going ahead with the organization of the presidential and congressional election set for 17 May 2020. The JCE has sent the daily programming for the preparing of the elections to the political parties, with a final list of activities expected to be ready by 6 April. According to the agenda, the bidding process for the printing of the ballots needs to be held from 1 to 10 April, with the printing of the ballots scheduled for 15 April 2020.
The Dominican Republic is in a declared State of Emergency until 14 April 2020. The Dominican Republic is in curfew period since Friday, 28 March through Friday, 3 April 2020. The State of Emergency and the curfew could be extended.
Recent polls in early March showed the opposition party Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) with a comfortable lead over the ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), prior to the onset of the coronavirus crisis following the 15 March municipal election. PRM delegate to the JCE Orlando Jorge Mera has said the party is open to a postponement but that the election should take place in time for the change of government on 16 August 2020. Other parties have spoken in favor of the postponing of the election.
A ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) legislator for Independencia province, Juan Olando Mercedes had proposed elections be moved for 2021 due to the Covid-19 virus. But the president of the PLD, Temístocles Montás disallowed him to speak for the party. Administrative Minister of the Presidency Jose Ramón Peralta said that President Danilo Medina would not remain in power one minute after the 10am change of government deadline on 16 August 2020.
The United States State Department notified the Dominican Consulate in New York that holding of face-to-face elections are not allowed in the United States during the times of Covid-19 virus. The State Department recommends voting by mail or any other method that does not involve physical presence. There are around 600,000 Dominicans registered to vote in the presidential and congressional elections, of which around 400,000 live in the United States, most in the state of New York.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...-mas-de-400-mil-electores-criollos-NG17991873
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...para-las-elecciones-del-17-de-mayo-GJ18007111
https://hoy.com.do/jce-sigue-en-elecciones-17-mayo-pese-a-coronavirus-remite-calendario/
https://z101digital.com/jce-envia-a-los-partidos-la-agenda-de-actividades-para-elecciones-de-mayo/
https://eldia.com.do/siete-partidos-sugieren-posponer-comicios-de-mayo/
Orlando Jorge Mera: Elections can take place in time for 16 August change of government
The position of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) is that if the 17 May 2020 presidential and congressional election needs to be postponed due to the Covid-19 virus situation, the elections should always take place prior to the 16 August date for the inauguration of the new government. In an op-ed feature in El Dia, Orlando Jorge Mera, who is the PRM delegate to the Central Electoral Board (JCE) said that proposals for an extension of the present government of President Danilo Medina because of the crisis “is totally unacceptable.”
“To celebrate elections in times of a pandemic is not an easy task, but it cannot be seen as impossible, when reasonable measures are taken to protect people’s health and democracy,” he wrote. He said the International Foundation for Electoral Systems has shared instructions on the matter that were the result of consultations with the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) of the United States. “Guidelines and Recommendations for Electoral Activities during the Covid-19 Pandemic” can be downloaded at
http://www.electionguide.org/digest/post/17592/
https://eldia.com.do/elecciones-en-tiempos-del-covid-19/
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