The Ministry of Public Health says the Delta variant was not identified in the samples sent to the US Center for Disease Control in Atlanta after the spike of Covid-19 in May. 31 variants of the virus were identified in the 86 samples. Health authorities say that at least two of the most contagious strains have been identified in circulation in at least seven provinces of the country, with the young population being the most affected.
Health authorities are also awaiting results of other samples taken in May that were sent to a lab in Brazil.
Gamma (P.1), that originated in Brazil, was found to be circulating in the National District, La Vega, Sanchez Ramirez and Valverde, Barahona, San Cristobal and Santo Domingo provinces.
The United Kingdom-originating Alpha (B.1.1.7) was identified in San Cristobal province.
Meanwhile, the Iota variant was found circulating is in the provinces of Santiago, Sanchez Ramirez, Santo Domingo, San Cristobal and Barahona
Lambda was found in circulation in Valverde.
The Ministry of Public Health explained the Gamma variant, identified for the first time in Brazil, is the predominant variant in circulation in the country, at 24%. The Ministry of Public Health says young adults, between 24 and 48 years old, are responsible for most of the transmission of the disease.
Unofficially it has been said the Delta variant is circulating here. But this could not be confirmed with the tests carried out to May samples. The authorities say that given that the Delta variant is the prevailing strain in the United States, it could already be circulating here. The local health authorities say that as of next week, the country will have the capacity to locally identify the variants. The testing equipment has been installed at the Dr. Defillo National Laboratory and test results can be had in 24 hours. Nevertheless, the public health authorities will continue to send samples to labs abroad to verify the strains that are circulating here.
Public Health Minister Daniel Rivera urged people to get vaccinated. He said that 48% of the population already has the two doses of the vaccine against Covid-19. The Ministry of Public Health is recommending people vaccinated with AstraZeneca or Sinovac vaccines get a third booster with a Pfizer vaccine. Vaccines are free and easily available in the Dominican Republic.
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Listin Diario
Hoy
23 July 2021