In an interview with medical journalist Altagracia Ortíz, Dr. Alma Morales, director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) office in the Dominican Republic, said it is good news the coronavirus outbreak is concentrated in five provinces. She said this leaves the people in other provinces with the opportunity to take containment measures to restrict the spread of the disease. There are still three provinces without confirmed cases – Elías Piña, San José de Ocoa and Bahoruco.
Nevertheless, she forecast the situation will get worse before it gets better. “This week and next week the pandemic has to peak in areas like the National District, you can see it clearly in the statistics,” she said. On the other hand, there are still three provinces without cases. She said it is hard to tell whether the virus is not spreading or if it is just that the people have not been tested or the results are not yet in.
Morales said the statistics indicate that people are not fully complying with the physical distancing measures to prevent the spread of the viral disease.
As a step of advancement, she said is the start of the implementation of the antibody rapid response tests in areas with community spread. The positives need to be confirmed by a PCR test.
The coordinator of the High Commission for the Prevention of the Coronavirus, Gustavo Montalvo said in his address on 2 April 2020 that the PAHO had made available US$2 million for the present health crisis.
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Diario Libre
Diario Libre
3 April 2020