The prevalence of Covid-19 in the Dominican Republic continues on the downward trend begun in July after the May Mother’s Day spike. The national 4-week positivity rate, nevertheless, for the first time increased, going from 5.31 to 5.33% over the past 24 hours. The 24-hour positivity for the day is up to 8.82% from the previous day.
The Ministry of Public Health’s Epidemiology Department Coronavirus Bulletin #523 reports 223 new PCR cases for the Monday, 23 August 2021 deadline. The low in active cases and positivity is attributed to the effectiveness of the National Vaccination Plan. The number of reported active Covid-cases detailed in the Covid-19 Bulletin #523 is 4,646, down (-77) 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 of Public Health on 18 August 2021 said that Gamma (Brazil) is the prevalent variant in circulation. Additional testing is required to identified if the Delta variant is in circulation. The Ministry says unvaccinated 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. 14 days after the lifting of curfew in these municipalities, there has not yet been a spike in cases and the downward trend continues.
Decree 477-21 that removes the curfew still establishes a ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages every day 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, Verón and Punta Cana) is 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 Colonial City to make it easier for people to get vaccinated in August and September 2021. The people have not responded, and the numbers of new vaccinated people have been dropping.
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 223 new cases for bulletin #523 compare to the 7-day nationwide average for confirmed cases that is 248. As has been happening since the start of the pandemic, Greater Santo Domingo concentrates most of the new registered cases.
As per Bulletin #523, with the deadline of 23 August 2021, the Ministry of Public Health has registered 348,249 confirmed cases since the first case on 1 March 2020. Labs carried out 2,528 first-time tests. This number of tests compares with the 14-day average now at 4,241.
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 for adults. 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 a pace of 100,000+ vaccinations a day. Yet the number of newly vaccinated persons has plummeted and is now under 30,000 a day. For the 22 August deadline, Our World in Data reports that 27,167 first and second dose vaccines were applied. The rolling 7-day average as of 22 August 2021 deadline is 24,879 vaccines applied per day. The VacunateRD government website reports 5,737,876 first doses of the vaccine and 4,559,262 second doses for the 23 August 2021 vaccination deadline. The government says that more than 55% 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 23 August 2021, the Ministry of Public Health reports that 591,709 people had received the Pfizer third booster shot.
The government has ordered that all private and public schools open for school by 1 September and in person learning start on 20 September 2021. Private schools are expected to reopen by the 1 September 2021 back to school date. Schools continue to be subject to keeping to health protocols. Universities have reopened for classes 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. Theaters have resumed showings under health protocols.
Hotels and resorts have operated throughout the pandemic under previously established less restrictive health protocols. In July, the Ministry of Tourism authorized again booking up to 100% of room capacity.
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 reported 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 1,400 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. The Presidency has requested a 45-day extension.
By regional standards, the Dominican Republic has been relatively successful at treating Covid-19 and keeping the number of deaths low. For the 23 August 2021 deadline, Worldometer lists the 1M deaths per inhabitant rate for the Dominican Republic at 365. According to the same 1M deaths statistics, fewer people have died of Covid-19 in the Dominican Republic than in Brazil at 2,683, Colombia at 2,414, Argentina at 2,422, Italy at 2,135, the United States at 1,941, the United Kingdom at 1,931, Spain at 1,786, France at 1,733, Russia at 1,216, Germany 1,100 and Canada at 704, all major markets for Dominican tourism and c3untries with overall better health systems.
Eight Covid-related deaths are recorded for the 23 August 2021 deadline, and no deaths occurred in the previous 24 hours of the deadline. As of the 23 August 2021 deadline, 4,002 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 383.02. Dominican physicians’ diverse treatment for the disease has been relatively successful in the region. The Ministry of Public Health reports that the country’s 383.02 fatality rate per 1M compares favorably to the average 1M inhabitants’ fatality rate for the Americas at 1,998.90.
Hospitalizations are up after months of declining. The Ministry of Public Health report #523 indicates 17% of Covid-19 hospital beds are occupied (452 of 2,604 total available), same as the previous day. 22% of the intensive care units for Covid-19 are taken (132 of 608 beds), down from 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 #523: 348,249 confirmed cases, 223 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 4,646 active cases, eight deaths are reported for the deadline, and no death is reported happening in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 383.02.
Bulletin #522: 348,026 confirmed cases, 191 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 4,723 active cases, five deaths are reported for the deadline, and no death is reported happening in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 382.26.
Bulletin #521: 337,835 confirmed cases, 198 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 4,849 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 381.78.
Bulletin #520: 347,637 confirmed cases, 267 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 5,141 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 381.78.
Bulletin #519: 347,370 confirmed cases, 373 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 5,235 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 381.78.
Bulletin #518: 346,997 confirmed cases, 304 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 5,052 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 381.78.
Bulletin #517: 346,693 confirmed cases, 183 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 5,726 active cases, four deaths are reported for the deadline, and no death is reported happening in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 381.78.
Greater Santo Domingo continues to lead in the number of reported PCR cases. As of 23 August 2021 at 6pm, the deadline for Bulletin #523, the most confirmed cases have been reported in the National District (94,512) and the Santo Domingo province (76,128). The numbers account for 49% of the 348,249 confirmed cases nationwide.
Other provinces are: Santiago (35,013), La Romana (12,714), La Altagracia (12,086), La Vega (11,886), San Cristóbal (11,862), Puerto Plata (8,655), Duarte (8,279), Espaillat (7,154), San Pedro de Macoris (5,807), San Juan de la Maguana (5,616), Barahona (4,776), Azua (4,496), Maria Trinidad Sánchez (4,336), Monseñor Nouel (3,949), Sánchez Ramírez (3,684), Valverde (3,444), Hermanas Mirabal (3,328), Peravia (3,128), Monte Plata (2,225), Baoruco (1,981), Hato Mayor (1,682), Santiago Rodriguez (1,675), Montecristi (1,659), Dajabón (1,538), San José de Ocoa (1,405), Independencia (1,357), El Seibo (1,220), Samaná (1,145), Pedernales (918) and Elías Piña (518) as of the 23 August 2021 deadline.
The Ministry reported for the 23 August 2021 Greater Santo Domingo concentrates around 50% of the nationwide spread of the virus. The National District reported 29 new cases and Santo Domingo province reported 36 cases for the tally in Greater Santo Domingo, including the capital city and eastern Santo Domingo.
Haiti reports 20,746 confirmed cases and 583 deaths, for the 22 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 21 August 2021, 26,109 doses of Spikevax (Moderna) vaccines had been applied in Haiti at the 51 open vaccination centers since the start of vaccination on 16 July 2021.
Overall, health experts attribute the general low number of deaths in Haiti (50 per 1M pop compared to 365 per 1M in the DR) as of 23 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
24 August 2021