There are expectations the public health team of the new Abinader presidency will hone their plan with the experts in the Medina administration during the transition period. Political activities detonated the spread of the disease in the Dominican Republic, and the country is paying the price in a faster pace and more cases.
It is not that Dominicans are not aware of the virus. Most people wear their masks. The Gallup poll showed that the pandemic is the most pressing issue for Dominicans.
Regardless, more and more people now have someone close who has come down with Covid-19. In recent cases, Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez has said he has tested positive for the disease. The Bishop of Higuey, Monsignor Jesus Castro also announced he has caught the disease. In Santiago, the rector of UTESA university is also sick with Covid-19.
The country’s Covid-19 metrics are getting worse. 44,532 have tested positive with Covid-19 but thousands who have not been tested speculate they have had a mild case. Take note that PCR tests continue to be expensive and hard to get for most.
Covid-19 has killed at least 897 Dominicans (as of 11 July 2020 epidemiological bulletin deadline) and is spreading, infecting new people and filling the Covid-19 halls at public and private hospitals with the sick. Hospitals are beginning to get overwhelmed and the government needs to expand capacity. The share of tests coming back positive is increasing and as of 11 July 2020 was at at high 26% for the previous 14 days.
The new elected authorities have said public health is the top priority. But there is still five weeks to go before the change of government. The Medina administration has practically completed the opening of the economy, including the reopening of airports.
The country’s economy continues to struggle with the number of businesses closing or about to close increasing. The initial Covid-19 capacity of public and private hospitals is now reaching its upward limits. Several physicians are warning the country is headed in an alarming direction if the hard decisions to restrict social interactions are not taken.
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Listin Diario
13 July 2020