The Ministry of Public Health’s Epidemiology Department Coronavirus Bulletin #395 reports 502 new PCR cases for the Friday, 17 April 2021 deadline. The cases compare to the 7-day nationwide average for PCR confirmed cases that is 490.
As per Bulletin #395, with the deadline of 17 April 2021, the Ministry of Public Health has registered 261,129 confirmed cases since the first case on 1 March 2020. Labs carried out 3,361 first PCR tests. The number of PCR tests compares with the 14-day average now at 3,596.
The nationwide 4-week positivity rate is 10.34%, up slightly from the previous day. The 24-hour positivity for the day is 14.94%, up from the day before.
The number of reported active Covid-cases increased to 38,987, up (+80) from the previous 24 hours. The active cases have been rising since Bulletin #386. Nevertheless, the numbers have yet to make real the concerns that the population’s greater mobility over the Easter Week holiday would bring a major spike in cases. Yet, the effect of the Easter holiday on the spread of the virus are apparent in the interruption of the downward trend in active cases.
The nation is immersed in a nationwide vaccination drive as batches of vaccines are received from abroad. The government has not updated the vaccination statistics for public viewing. Public Health Minister Daniel Rivera reported on 15 April that 608,000 persons have received the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in the Dominican Republic. Around 1.5 million persons have received the first dose. The government seeks to vaccinate 7.8 million people. Medical workers and those 68+ years and older, and those 60+ with co-morbidities were the first to be vaccinated. Also, public school school teachers and all health care workers. Those 18+ accompanying a person of 80+ are included in the first phase priority group. The government is vaccinating elite athletes that need to travel abroad for international competitions. On Sunday, 22 March, the government also began to vaccinate military and police. On 24 March the government began the inoculation drive for the second dose for those already vaccinated in the country.
The government has slowed the pace of vaccinating with the first dose as it awaits new batches of vaccines. The first shipment of Pan American Health Organization-Covax Facility vaccines arrived on 6 April 2021. The 91,200 vials of AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in South Korea will be used to apply second doses to those who had received the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine, primarily medical workers.
A shipment of 1 million Chinese Sinovac vaccines arrived on Wednesday, 17 March at Las Americas International Airport but these are primarily for the second dose vaccinations. Another batch of 50,000 Sinopharm vaccines donated by the Chinese government are being used to continue with targeted priority groups, primarily the military and police. The government awaits new batches of vaccine, but no dates for the shipment arrivals have been given. The National Vaccination Plan calls for next vaccinating those 65+ years old who have made appointments through Vacunate RD website.
Regarding 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 Referencia Lab branches in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, La Romana and Punta Cana. Antigen tests results can be had in three hours at Referencia and Amadita 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 the country to show negative results of a PCR test carried out within 72 hours before the traveler’s scheduled departure to those countries. The US requires travelers to show negative antigen or PCR test results taken within 72 hours of the arrival to US territory or a full schedule of US-approved vaccines.
Four Covid-related new deaths are recorded for the Friday, 17 April 2021 deadline, while the bulletin reports one deaths occurring in the previous 24 hours of the deadline. The authorities register 3,418 Covid-19-related deaths since March 2020.
On Friday, 16 April, the Presidency issued Decree 253-21 that extends the Monday to Friday deadline to 10pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays to 9pm with free circulation until 12 midnight every day of the week. This is excellent news for food vendors and businesses. The measures are effective for Monday, 19 April through Sunday, 16 May 2021. Previously, the presidency had issued Decree 231-21 on 15 April that had extended all the measures in place to combat Covid-19.
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 reopen to 60% 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. Schools continue officially closed for in-person learning.
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. The first phase of vaccinations covered the around 12,000 front-line staff at clinics and hospitals that see Covid-19 patients. Two first batches of 20,000 and 30,000 doses of Covishield arrived from the India Oxford-AstraZeneca manufacturing plant since 15 February 2021. The next shipment was one of 768,000 doses of Sinovac/Coronavac vaccine that arrived on 23 February 2021 from China for the continuing of the National Vaccination Plan. The government received a 1 million batch of Sinovac vaccines on 17 March 2021 that are primarily being used for second doses. An additional large shipment from China is expected, yet no date has been given. The Dominican government has also contracted vaccines with UK manufacturers of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, Pfizer-BioNTech and others, through the World Health Organization-Covax Facility. The first vaccines of the Covax Facility were received on 6 April, some 91,200 vials.
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. Mask-wearing is relaxed in beach properties.
The Dominican Republic continues under a National State of Emergency. The Presidency enacted Decree 231-21 that extends the National State of Emergency for another 45-day period from Friday, 16 April to Sunday, 16 May 2021.
By regional standards, the Dominican Republic has been relatively successful at treating Covid-19 and keeping the number of deaths low. For the 17 April 2021 deadline, Worldometer lists the 1M deaths per inhabitant rate for the Dominican Republic at 313. According to the same 1M deaths statistics, fewer people have died of Covid-19 in the Dominican Republic than in Italy at 1,936, the United Kingdom at 1,867, the United States at 1,747, Brazil at 1,740, Spain at 1,646, France at 1,541, Colombia at 1,324, Argentina at 1,300, Germany 959, Russia at 723 and Canada at 621, all major markets for Dominican tourism and countries with overall better health systems.
The number of deaths continues relatively low. As of the 17 April 2021 deadline, 3,418 persons are reported to have died of the disease in the Dominican Republic, a nation of more than 10.9 million people. The fatality rate is 1.31%. The fatality rate per 1M inhabitants is 327.13. Dominican physicians’ diverse treatment for the disease has been relatively successful in the region. The Ministry of Public Health reports that the country’s 327.13 fatality rate per 1M compares favorably to the average 1M inhabitants’ fatality rate for the Americas at 1,392.22.
The Ministry of Public Health report #395 indicates 23% of Covid-19 hospital beds are occupied (552 of 2,403 total available), down from the previous day. 32% of the intensive care units for Covid-19 are taken (157 of 495 beds), similar to 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 results are:
Bulletin #395: 261,129 confirmed cases, 502 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 38,987 active cases, 4 deaths are reported for the deadline, and one reported happening in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 327.13.
Bulletin #394: 260,627 confirmed cases, 494 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 38,907 active cases, 4 deaths are reported for the deadline, and none reported happening in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 326.75.
Bulletin #393: 260,133 confirmed cases, 494 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 38,713 active cases, 5 deaths are reported for the deadline, and one reported happening in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 326.36.
Bulletin #392: 259,639 confirmed cases, 379 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 38,621 active cases, 3 deaths are reported for the deadline, and two reported happening in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 325.88.
Bulletin #391: 259,260 confirmed cases, 598 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 38,572 active cases, 5 deaths are reported for the deadline, and three reported happening in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 325.60.
Bulletin #390: 258,637 confirmed cases, 598 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 38,232 active cases, 5 deaths are reported for the deadline, and three reported happening in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 325.12.
Bulletin #389: 258,039 confirmed cases, 341 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 37,867 active cases, 4 deaths are reported for the deadline, and two reported happening in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 324.64.
Greater Santo Domingo continues to lead in the number of reported PCR cases. As of 17 April 2021 at 6pm, the deadline for Bulletin #395, the most confirmed cases have been reported in the National District (76,118) and the Santo Domingo province (52,838). The numbers account for around 49% of the 261,129 confirmed cases nationwide.
Other provinces are: Santiago (28,474), La Vega (10,245), La Altagracia (9,455), La Romana (7,871), San Cristóbal (7,829), Puerto Plata (7,669), Duarte (6,512), Espaillat (5,255), San Juan de la Maguana (3,875), San Pedro de Macoris (3,687), Monseñor Nouel (3,491), Azua (3,292), Sánchez Ramírez (3,191), Maria Trinidad Sánchez (3,132), Barahona (2,726), Valverde (2,517), Hermanas Mirabal (2,390), Peravia (2,258), Baoruco (1,401), Monte Plata (1,283), Santiago Rodriguez (1,174), Monte Cristi (1,173), Dajabón (1,070), Independencia (1,020), Samaná (913), El Seibo (884), Hato Mayor (861), San José de Ocoa (827), Pedernales (651) and Elías Piña (409) as of the 17 April 2021 deadline.
The Ministry indicates that the newest allocated cases (more than 9) reported for 17 April 2021 update deadline are: National District (210) and Santo Domingo (133) in Greater Santo Domingo.
Haiti reports 12,918 confirmed cases and 251 deaths, for the 17 April 2021 deadline. Experts attribute the low number of deaths in Haiti in part due to extensive 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.
In the Americas, the Dominican Republic is now ranked 12th in confirmed PCR cases after the United States, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Canada, Chile, Panama, Ecuador and Bolivia.
Read more:
Decree 253-21
Decree 231-21
Decree 133-21
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
18 April 2021