The prevalence of Covid-19 in the Dominican Republic continues on the downward trend begun in July after the Mother’s Day spike. The number of reported active Covid-cases had declined to 5,586 for the 11 August 2021 bulletin. Yet after weeks of steady decline, it inched up a bit for the 14 August bulletin #514. Bulletin #514 indicates the number of active cases was at 5,953 (+127), up from the previous day.
The Ministry of Public Health’s Epidemiology Department Coronavirus Bulletin #514 reports 216 new PCR cases for the Saturday, 14 August 2021 deadline. The low is attributed to the effectiveness of the National Vaccination Plan.
The national 4-week positivity rate is 6.48%, continuing on the downward trend. The 24-hour positivity for the day is at 4.36%, down from the previous day.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health closely monitors the new variants and their impact in the Dominican Republic as curfew restrictions are reduced to a minimum. As of 2 August 2021, the National Dr. Defilló Lab has sequencing capacity to determine the variants that are circulating in the country for timely control of future outbreaks. The Ministry announced on 11 August 2021 that it has identified Alpha (UK) and Gamma (Brazil) variants in circulation. Additional testing is required to identified if the Delta variant is in circulation. The Ministry says young people are driving the spread of the disease.
The Ministry of Public Health is closely monitoring the situation now that circulation restrictions are being revoked. Covid-19 curfew was lifted in the National District and La Altagracia province on 9 August 2021. Decree 477-21 that removes the curfew still establishes a ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages everyday in the capital city and La Altagracia now from 12 midnight to 5am. Ministry of Public Health permits are required for events where people agglomerate and public places and private places for public use are limited to 75% of capacity. The decision to end the curfew is taken after around 80% of the population in the capital city (DN) and La Altagracia (Higuey, Veron and Punta Cana) has been fully vaccinated and the positivity and active cases have been dropping significantly since early July 2021.
Decree No. 432-21 still sets curfew from 11pm to 5am daily with a daily two-hour free transit period for all provinces other than La Altagracia and the National District.
The Health Cabinet has challenged the people in the Dominican Republic to get fully vaccinated. In the Dominican Republic the government has more than enough inventories of vaccines to apply at least 100,000 doses per day. The government has habilitated nighttime vaccination stations in movie theaters, shopping malls, and in the Colonical City to make it easier for people to get vaccinated in August and September 2021.
While La Altagracia (Punta Cana) and the National District are the first to be curfew-free, the Presidency says it is considering fully removing curfew restrictions in all municipalities where 70% of the people have at least two doses.
The 216 new cases for bulletin #514 compare to the 7-day nationwide average for PCR confirmed cases that is 240, down from the previous day average. As has been happening since the start of the pandemic, Greater Santo Domingo concentrates most of the new registered cases.
As per Bulletin #514, with the deadline of 14 August 2021, the Ministry of Public Health has registered 346,176 confirmed cases since the first case on 1 March 2020. Labs carried out 4,950 first-time PCR tests. This number of PCR tests compares with the 14-day average now at 3,984, up from the previous day.
The general vaccination drive is open to persons 12+ years old since Saturday, 12 June 2021 with the arrival of Pfizer vaccines to select vaccination centers. As of 2 July 2021, a third Pfizer booster shot has been available. As of February 2021, vaccines have consistently arrived to continue with the National Vaccination Plan as scheduled. The goal is to have fully vaccinated upwards of 60% of the population in time for the start of the 2021-2022 school year in September 2021. As of mid-July, around 56% of the population 18+ years old has the first two vaccines.
Health experts insist that sufficient immunity is not acquired until two weeks after the person has received the second dose. The government aspires to maintain a pace of 100,000+ vaccinations a day. Some 30,173, first and second dose vaccines were applied for the 13 August deadline, according to Our World in Data. The rolling 7-day average as of 14 August 2021 deadline is 38,270 vaccines applied per day, down from the previous day. The VacunateRD government website reports 5,671,374 first doses of the vaccine and 4,461,013 second doses for the 14 August 2021 vaccination deadline. Around 56.5% of the target population over 18 years old now has the two doses.
The National Vaccination Plan recommends a booster shot different from the first two doses to be applied a month after the second dose of the Sinovac vaccine and three months after the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The Pfizer booster vaccine is being applied to persons with co-morbidities and seniors, and at demand in select vaccination stations. As of 12 August 2021, the Ministry of Public Health reports that 519,642 people had received the Pfizer third booster shot.
The government has ordered that all private and public schools open for in person learning in September. Private schools have announced they will open in August. Schools continue to be subject to keeping to health protocols. Universities say they will reopen in August but require students to have the full vaccination dose to enroll in in person learning classes.
The government seeks to vaccinate 7.8 million adults of the population of 10.8 million. In addition. This total does not take into consideration those 12-18 years of age that of June 2021 are included in the vaccination campaign with the regular arrival of batches of Pfizer vaccines.
Regarding Covid-19 testing in the Dominican Republic, private labs have special facilities for those requiring results in time for travel abroad. Results of PCR tests can be had in 24 hours for those presenting a valid airline ticket at labs carried out the test in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, La Romana and Punta Cana. Antigen tests results can be had in three hours at select labs in the same locations. Nevertheless, travelers are recommended to make arrangements with extra time. PCR test results are usually given in 24 hours or less online.
Canada and Spain are requiring all entering to show negative results of a PCR test carried out within 72 hours before the traveler’s scheduled departure to those countries. Yet, Spain has announced that travelers who have the two doses of the Sinovac or Pfizer vaccine at least two weeks before the travel date can enter without a PCR test. Both vaccines are now available in the Dominican Republic. Around 80% of those vaccinated in the Dominican Republic have received the Sinovac/Coronavac vaccine. The US requires travelers to show negative antigen or PCR test results taken within 72 hours of the arrival to US territory.
The Plan for the Relaxation of Restrictive Measures for COVID-19 contemplates the lifting of the curfew in municipalities when at least 70% of the respective population has received the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Yet, the government is being extra cautious after the spread of the Delta variant in the United States, from where most of the visitors to the Dominican Republic come from.
The intention is still to contain mobility and people mixing now that new highly transmissible variants of the virus are in circulation.
Open-air public spaces, such as parks and boulevards, can be used for activities other than social gatherings and always complying with preventive health protocols. Gyms, restaurants and bars are allowed to operate at 75% of their capacity. A maximum of six persons per table is allowed, among other health protocols. Religious ceremonies are allowed three days a week, as long as they keep within 60% of the capacity of the church and churchgoers must keep their masks on during the service. Theaters have resumed showings under health protocols. This compares to the 75% capacity limit is in place for La Altagracia province and the National District.
Hotels and resorts continue to operate under previously established less restrictive health protocols. This means that alcoholic beverages are available at restaurants and bars within the resort or hotel areas that are under the tourism protocols.
The government began to vaccinate for the Covid-19 virus on 16 February 2021. As of 13 August 2021, the Dominican Republic has received 18,296,970 vaccine doses, of which around 75.52% have come from China – 13,768,000 Sinovac and 50,000 Sinopharm vaccines (13,818,000). Pfizer has delivered 3,274,570 vaccine doses around 17.90%. Of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the delivered 1,204,400 doses represent 6.58% of the total.
The most recent arrivals of vaccines are: A batch of Astra Zeneca vaccines on 2 August 2021. And a batch of 100,620 of Pfizer vials on 4 August 2021. Another batch of 503,100 Pfizer vaccines arrived on 6 August. On 10 August a batch of Astra Zeneca vaccines with 77,600 vials was received. On 13 August, a batch of 431,730 Pfizer vaccines arrived.
Free vaccines are available at more than 1,000 vaccination centers nationwide. The Pfizer vaccine is available at major vaccination sites at request for those 12+. The Pfizer vaccine is also available as a booster shot for those who have received the two Sinovac or AstraZeneca vaccines.
The Dominican Republic is in the top 5 of numbers of persons per country vaccinated in the Americas, only behind Uruguay, Chile, Canada and the United States.
Regardless of the widespread vaccination program, the Ministry of Public Health continues to mandate keeping to the preventive measures of mask-wearing, physical distancing in public spaces, hand hygiene and keeping to well-ventilated areas. In the cities, mask-wearing is the norm and is mandatory. As of recent weeks, mask usage is relaxed in ventilated public areas. Shopping malls and major stores continue to require the use of the facial masks.
The Dominican Republic continues under a National State of Emergency. The Presidency approved Decree 417-21 that extends the National State of Emergency until 26 August 2021.
By regional standards, the Dominican Republic has been relatively successful at treating Covid-19 and keeping the number of deaths low. For the 14 August 2021 deadline, Worldometer lists the 1M deaths per inhabitant rate for the Dominican Republic at 363. According to the same 1M deaths statistics, fewer people have died of Covid-19 in the Dominican Republic than in Brazil at 2,657, Colombia at 2,398, Argentina at 2,388, Italy at 2,128, the United Kingdom at 1,918, the United States at 1,914, Spain at 1,763, France at 1,722, Russia at 1,168, Germany 1,099 and Canada at 701, all major markets for Dominican tourism and countries with overall better health systems.
Four Covid-related deaths are recorded for the 14 August 2021 deadline, and no deaths occurred in the previous 24 hours of the deadline. As of the 14 August 2021 deadline, 3,980 persons are reported to have died of the disease in the Dominican Republic, a nation of more than 10.8 million adults since March 2020. The fatality rate is at 1.15%. The fatality rate per 1M inhabitants is 380.92. Dominican physicians’ diverse treatment for the disease has been relatively successful in the region. The Ministry of Public Health reports that the country’s 380.92 fatality rate per 1M compares favorably to the average 1M inhabitants’ fatality rate for the Americas at 1,969.33.
The Ministry of Public Health report #514 indicates 19% of Covid-19 hospital beds are occupied (486 of 2,604 total available), same compared to the previous day. 25% of the intensive care units for Covid-19 are taken (152 of 608 beds), same as the day before. The hospitalization statistics are for all the country. Hospitalization demand in Greater Santo Domingo, Santiago and other major cities is much higher than the national average.
The past seven days bulletin result highlights are:
Bulletin #514: 346,176 confirmed cases, 216 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 5,953 active cases, no deaths are reported for the deadline, and no death is reported happening in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 380.92.
Bulletin #513: 345,960 confirmed cases, 323 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 5,827 active cases, one death is reported for the deadline, and no death is reported happening in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 380.53.
Bulletin #512: 345,637 confirmed cases, 312 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 5,586, active cases, one death is reported for the deadline, and no death is reported happening in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 380.53.
Bulletin #511: 345,325 confirmed cases, 207 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 6,486 active cases, no death is reported for the deadline, and no death is reported happening in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 380.53.
Bulletin #510: 345,118 confirmed cases, 282 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 8,121 active cases, one death is reported for the deadline, and no death is reported happening in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 380.44.
Bulletin #509: 344,836 confirmed cases, 211 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 10,355 active cases, one death is reported for the deadline, and no death is reported happening in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 380.44.
Bulletin #508: 344,625 confirmed cases, 130 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 11,962 active cases, no deaths are reported for the deadline, and no death is reported happening in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 380.34.
Greater Santo Domingo continues to lead in the number of reported PCR cases. As of 14 August 2021 at 6pm, the deadline for Bulletin #514, the most confirmed cases have been reported in the National District (94,206) and the Santo Domingo province (75,813). The numbers account for 49% of the 346,176 confirmed cases nationwide.
Other provinces are: Santiago (34,626), La Romana (12,682), La Altagracia (12,016), San Cristóbal (11,821), La Vega (11,794), Puerto Plata (8,550), Duarte (8,215), Espaillat (7,039), San Pedro de Macoris (5,787), San Juan de la Maguana (5,586), Barahona (4,764), Azua (4,469), Maria Trinidad Sánchez (4,267), Monseñor Nouel (3,918), Sánchez Ramírez (3,645), Valverde (3,386), Hermanas Mirabal (3,295), Peravia (3,104), Monte Plata (2,200), Baoruco (1,974), Hato Mayor (1,677), Santiago Rodriguez (1,653), Montecristi (1,619), Dajabón (1,509), San José de Ocoa (1,402), Independencia (1,352), El Seibo (1,189), Samaná (1,128), Pedernales (914) and Elías Piña (514) as of the 14 August 2021 deadline.
The Ministry reported for the 14 August 2021 Greater Santo Domingo concentrates around 50% of the nationwide spread of the virus. The National District reported 30 new cases and Santo Domingo province reported 19 for the tally in Greater Santo Domingo, including the capital city and eastern Santo Domingo.
Haiti reports 20,556 confirmed cases and 576 deaths, for the 14 August 2021 deadline. Haiti has only just begun to start its Covid-19 vaccination program. This was because the Haitian government rejected a first Covax facility donation of AstraZeneca vaccines. The Dominican government authorized the vaccinating of Haitians with domicile in the Dominican Republic. A donation of Moderna vaccines was shipped to Haiti for the start of the vaccination program. As of 11 August 2021, 19,182 doses of Spikevax (Moderna) vaccines had been applied in Haiti since the start of vaccination on 16 Juy 2021.
Overall, health experts attribute the general low number of deaths in Haiti (50 per 1M pop compared to 363 per 1M in the DR) as of 14 August 2021 in part due to widespread vaccinating of babies with the tuberculosis vaccine and widespread use of ivermectin for parasites that have raised the immunity of the population. In person education has continued regularly in Haiti, and most people do not wear masks nor exercise physical distancing.
In the Americas, the Dominican Republic is now ranked 17th in confirmed PCR cases after the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Canada, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Panama, Cuba, Costa Rica, Uruguay and Guatemala.
Read more:
Decree 477-21 Curfew schedule removed in DN and La Altagracia
Decree 432-21 Curfew schedule
Decree 417-21 National State of Emergency
See the Ministry of Public Health epidemiological
Bulletins
VacunateRD
John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center
University of Washington Health Data
University of Oxford Covid Tracker
Worldometer
Our World in Data
16 August 2021