Coronavirus Covid-19 Bulletin #711/ 27 February 2022
The Ministry of Public Health Coronavirus Bulletin #711 with the deadline of 27 February 2022 reports 264 new cases, up from the previous day (221 cases). The death rate is at 0.76%, one of the lowest in the Americas.
Two weeks after the President announced an end to “all restrictive measures” in an address on Wednesday, 16 February 2022, the statistic for active cases continues to decline. The number of active cases for Bulletin #711 is 1,866, down to pre-Omicron days.
The President has told the nation it is up to everyone to take the known measures to keep safe. The President in making the announcement motivated everyone to get vaccinated. The Ministry of Public Health is urging everyone to get the booster shot. Second booster shots are also available.
The Ministry of Public Health in Resolution #0008-2022 recommends the use of masks in public and private spaces, especially where there are crowds, in educational centers, mass transportation, health centers and in the cases of people with special health conditions or who have the Covid-19. The wearing of masks is no longer obligatory, but many businesses, especially in the big cities, maintain the preventive measure and require their staff and customers to do so or not be allowed to enter. Large numbers of people have continued to wear the masks, especially in large cities.
During a press conference on Friday, 18 February 2022, Public Health Minister Daniel Rivera reminded all that the pandemic is not over and recommended people continue to adhere to precautionary measures. Mask-wearing spontaneously has continued in shops, hospitals and many closed spaces as people continue to take care to not catch the disease.
Ministry of Public Health director of Epidemiology, Dr. Ronald Skewes had said during the routine Wednesday press conference on 16 February 2022 that the Covid-19 infection rate maintains an “irreversible” downward trend. The positivity rate began to decline as of 18 January. The fifth wave with the Omicron variant continues to slide consistently and the active cases maintain the downward trend begun in mid-January 2022. The authorities are monitoring the development of the BA.2 Covid-19 subvariant abroad. The variant has yet to be detected in the Dominican Republic.
So far, reports are that recent cases reported in the Dominican Republic have been mostly in persons without symptoms or with symptoms of a mild cold. People who have become very sick are usually those who have not been inoculated. It appears the spread of Omicron will be shortlived.
Bulletin #711 reports active Covid-19 cases are 1,866, up from 1,747 from the previous day report. The number of cases is below the peak of 55,773 active cases registered for the 5th of July 2021 deadline. With around 67% of the adult population vaccinated with least two doses of vaccine, and 78.5% with at least one dose, the population has successfully dealt with the Delta and Omicron variants. A recent University of Yale study attributed the relatively low impact of these variants attributed to the widespread vaccination with two Sinovac and the booster shot with Pfizer. The government is recommending those who have two Pfizer get the Sinovac vaccine, and that those with two Pfizers, get the Sinovac vaccine. Yet another Pfizer shot is also available upon demand at select vaccination centers.
Free tests are available at public hospitals and select universities. Low-cost antigen Covid-19 tests are now sold in pharmacies (RD$300) so people can early on test at home. Tests carried out by the labs have declined considerably after the home kits have become available.
The most Covid-19 PCR-registered cases are in Greater Santo Domingo (the National District and Santo Domingo province) followed by Santiago, the country’s second largest city.
The national 4-week positivity rate for the 27 February 2022 Epidemiological Bulletin #711 is at 5.41%, up from the previous day 5.38%. The 24-hour positivity for the day is 3.60%, down from 4.63% on the previous day. Most people are back at their work places and life is moving back to the old normal.
The positivity rate is on the decline in the most populated areas – Greater Santo Domingo and Santiago. It is now under 15% in all but three of 31 provinces and the National District –Pedernales (33.33%), Santiago Rodriguez (20.56%) and San Jose de Ocoa (18.45%) The positivity in the National District and provinces of larger populations for Bulletin #711 declined for the 27 February bulletin and was: National District 5.82%, Santiago 5.14%, Espaillat 5.08%, La Vega 3.81%, Santo Domingo province 3.45%, La Romana 2.56%, San Cristóbal 1.88%, La Altagracia 1.71%, Puerto Plata 1.36%, and Duarte 1.14%.
The authorities continue to unfold efforts to override resistance to vaccination in many population groups that allege religious reasons and among others who distrust the vaccines or have just not taken the time to get vaccinated. The authorities seek to disavow the counsel of many evangelical pastors and Roman Catholic priests who have been known to discourage vaccinating among their followers. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians that live in the Dominican Republic have also rejected getting vaccinated for cultural and religious reasons.
The record vaccinations for one day is 184,208 on 10 June 2021. The record vaccinations for one day is 184,208 on 10 June 2021. For the 27 February 2022 deadline, Our World in Data reports 9,771 first and second dose vaccines were applied. The rolling 7-day average is again declining and as of 27 February 2022 deadline is now at 11,414, down from the previous day.
The VacunateRD government website reports injecting 7,114,880 first doses of the vaccine and 5,857,078 second doses for the 27 February 2022 report deadline. The government began to vaccinate for the Covid-19 virus on 16 February 2021.
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 or the AstraZeneca vaccine. A Sinovac vaccine is recommended for those who have two Pfizers, yet a third Pfizer is also available.
For the 26 February 2022 deadline, the Ministry of Public Health had reported that 2,212,774 people had received the third booster shot. The government has ordered all with the first two shots to get the booster shot, especially with the entry of the Omicron variant.
The fourth vaccine shot is also now available for seniors (60+), front line workers and those with health vulnerabilities who had received the third booster shot six months ago.
Because of the cold storage requirements for the Pfizer shot, it is available at main city vaccination centers. As of mid-December, more than 65% of the adult population is already fully vaccinated (two doses or more) in the Dominican Republic, but the government has vaccine stocks for 100%+ and wants more people to get the jab.
The Ministry of Public Health reports in its 24 January 2022 vaccination bulletin that La Altagracia (Punta Cana) leads in population that has received two doses, with 103.5% and 28.1 of the population with the third booster shot. Next follow the National District 95.2% (38.6% booster), Pedernales 82.1% (24.3% booster), La Romana 71.0%, (19.4% booster), San Pedro de Macorís 73.8% (28.2% booster), Dajabón 66.4% (22.8% booster), Puerto Plata 75.2% (27.1% booster) and Espaillat 73.1% (18.8% booster).
The percentages for second dose in other provinces are: Independencia 65.3% (33.4%), Sánchez Ramírez 65.1% (22.3%), Barahona 63.0% (32.1%), Elías Piña 58.7% (34.4%), Monte Plata 64.2% (25.2%), San José de Ocoa 61.8% (24.9%), El Seibo 60.5% (17.8%), Hato Mayor 61.6% (21.6%), Baoruco (64.1% (38.9%), Montecristi 59.7% (18.0%), Santiago 60.2% (18.5%), Samaná 59.9% (17.9%), Peravia 60.0% (18.5%), Santo Domingo 58.7% (15.9%), Azua 58.6% (20.3%), San Cristóbal 58.2% (15.5%), Valverde 60.5% (21.5%), Santiago Rodríguez 600% (20.6%), San Juan de la Maguana 56.8% (25.0%), María Trinidad Sánchez 56.7% (16.6%), La Vega 57.0% (16.1%), Duarte 56.2% (12.9%), Monseñor Nouel 56.1% (12.9%) and Hermanas Mirabal 57.9% (28.1%).
The national average with two doses is 67%. 79% of the population has at least one dose, and 22% has three doses. The Ministry of Public Health has enough vaccine stocks to vaccinate the target population, but there has been a generalized opposition of large sectors, primarily regarding the third dose.
The 264 new cases in Bulletin #711 compare to the 7-day nationwide average for confirmed cases that is 323, down from the previous 7-day average.
As per Bulletin #711, with the deadline of 27 February 2022, the Ministry of Public Health has registered 574,556 PCR or antigen-confirmed cases since the first case on 1 March 2020. Labs carried out 7,335 first-time PCR and antigen tests. This number of tests compares with the 14-day average now at 4,571, up from the previous day.
The Ministry of Public Health is monitoring the Covid-19 virus as circulation restrictions are now reduced to a minimum. The Ministry says unvaccinated people drive the spread of the disease.
The government is betting on getting more people vaccinated. While there is an increase in cases, the death rate and hospitalizations continue under control. The government says that around 67% of the population is fully vaccinated and this apparently is containing the spread of the virus now that new variants are in circulation.
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.
By global standards, the Dominican Republic has been relatively successful at treating Covid-19 and keeping the number of deaths low. For the 27 February 2022 deadline, Worldometer lists the 1M deaths per inhabitant rate for the Dominican Republic at 396. According to the same 1M deaths statistics, fewer people have died of Covid-19 in the Dominican Republic than in Brazil at 3,019, the United States at 2,912, Argentina at 2,749, Colombia at 2,678, Italy at 2,563, the United Kingdom at 2,354, Russia at 2,408, Spain at 2,125, France at 2,109, Germany 1,464 and Canada at 954 all major markets for Dominican tourism and countries with overall better health systems.
No Covid-related deaths are recorded for the 27 February 2022 deadline. No deaths are reported having occurred in the previous 24 hours of the deadline. As of the 27 February 2022 deadline, 4,368 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 has been dropping and is at 0.76%. The fatality rate per 1M inhabitants is 418.05. Dominican physicians’ diverse treatment for the disease has been relatively successful in the region. The Ministry of Public Health reports that the country’s 418.05 fatality rate per 1M compares favorably to the average 1M inhabitants’ fatality rate for the Americas at 2,523.25 as of 26 February 2022.
The Ministry of Public Health report #711 confirms the decline in serious cases. The bulletin indicates 6% of Covid-19 public hospital beds are occupied (144 of 2,373 total available), up from the day before. 7% of the intensive care units for Covid-19 are taken (40 of 585), 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 hospitals say that most of the patients that require hospitalization had not been vaccinated for Covid-19.
The past seven days bulletin result highlights are:
Bulletin #711: 574,556 confirmed cases, 264 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 1,866 active cases. No deaths are reported for the deadline, and none either in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 418.05.
Bulletin #710: 574,292 confirmed cases, 211 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 1,747 active cases. No deaths are reported for the deadline, and none either in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 418.05.
Bulletin #709: 574,071 confirmed cases, 295 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 1,672 active cases. Three deaths are reported for the deadline, and none either in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 418.05.
Bulletin #708: 573,776 confirmed cases, 318 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 1,662 active cases. Two deaths are reported for the deadline, and none either in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 417.76.
Bulletin #707: 573,458 confirmed cases, 422 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 1,868 active cases. No deaths are reported for the deadline, and none either in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 417.57.
Bulletin #706: 573,036 confirmed cases, 440 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 2,353 active cases. Three deaths are reported for the deadline, and two in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 417.57.
Bulletin #705: 572,596 confirmed cases, 306 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, 2,148 active cases. Three deaths are reported for the deadline, and none in the past 24 hours. The fatality rate per 1M is 417.28.
As per the 27 February deadline, there were more than 10 cases in 4 of the 31 provinces and the National District. The municipalities with more than 10 cases were located in: the National District (66), La Altagracia (57), Santo Domingo province (44), Puerto Plata (31) and Santiago (28).
Greater Santo Domingo continues to lead in the number of reported PCR and antigen cases. As of 27 February 2022 at 6pm, the deadline for Bulletin #711, the most confirmed cases have been reported in the National District (149,417) and the Santo Domingo province (118,768) that represents Greater Santo Domingo, with the country’s highest urban density. The numbers account for 50% of the 574,556 PCR and antigen confirmed cases nationwide.
Other province case totals are: Santiago (61,045), Puerto Plata (19,349), La Vega (18,621), La Romana (17,812), Espaillat (17,743), La Altagracia (17,278), San Cristóbal (16,608), Duarte (13,060), Valverde (11,160), San Pedro de Macoris (9,480), San Juan de la Maguana (9,455), Maria Trinidad Sánchez (7,686), Barahona (6,632), Monseñor Nouel (6,335), Azua (6,295), Hermanas Mirabal (6,005), Sánchez Ramírez (5,696), Peravia (5,297), Dajabón (4,986), Montecristi (4,885), Santiago Rodriguez (4,565), Monte Plata (4,308), Baoruco (3,481), Hato Mayor (3,446), San José de Ocoa (2,576), Independencia (2,521), El Seibo (2,069), Samaná (1,990), Pedernales (1,479) and Elías Piña (1,293) as of the 27 February 2022 deadline.
Public schools reopened for in-person learning on 20 September 2021. Many private schools opened for in-person learning before 1 September 2021. Schools continue to be subject to health protocols. Universities reopened for classes in August 2021 but from day one have required students and teachers to have the full vaccination dose. On 8 November 2021, the Health Cabinet approved vaccinating school children ages 5 to 11 years old. Sinovac vaccines are being used in a first phase. The start date of this campaign in public schools with parental consent was 14 February 2022. Positivity in public schools is 1.58% with only 844 cases registered as of mid-December. Children 12+ have been vaccinated with Pfizer vaccines.
The government seeks to vaccinate 7.8 million adults of the population of 10.8 million. The 7.8 million 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. The Ministry of Public Health has mandated three vaccines for all over 18 years of age. A fourth vaccine is mandated for those 60 years of age or more and with situations of vulnerability.
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 for travel 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. For the general population, antigen home kits are now sold in select pharmacies nationwide.
New outbreaks of the virus in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Africa have affected the flexibility of foreign travel to the Dominican Republic. The Ministry of Tourism is still hopeful this winter season will set new records.
The United States is now requiring travelers two years and older present a negative test (PCR or antigen) taken within the 24 hours of the travel date. The US is requiring foreign arrivals present proof of having received two Covid-19 FDA-accepted vaccines for entry. Depending on the destination, airlines may not board unvaccinated passengers.
Country entry requirements are constantly changing and passengers should check before traveling. So far, Canada and Spain have been 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 70% of those vaccinated in the Dominican Republic have received the Sinovac/Coronavac vaccine.
Travelers are now required to upload an e-ticket that contains vaccination information for travel to and from the Dominican Republic.
Hotels and resorts have operated throughout the pandemic under previously established less restrictive health protocols. In July 2021, the Ministry of Tourism authorized again booking up to 100% of room capacity. Booster shots have been made available to all hotel personnel as an extra step to ensure the safety of guests and staff alike.
Free vaccines are available at more than 1,300 vaccination centers nationwide. The Pfizer vaccine is available at major vaccination sites. The Pfizer vaccine is readily available and is the booster shot used for those who have received the two Sinovac or AstraZeneca vaccines. It is also available for those who need the vaccine for travel purposes.
The Ministry of Public Health continues to recommend 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 has been relaxed in public areas.
Haiti is reported having 30,342 confirmed cases and 820 deaths, as per the 27 February 2022 global epidemiological deadline. Haiti has progressed very slowly with its Covid-19 vaccination program. Early on, the Haitian government rejected a first Covax facility donation of AstraZeneca vaccines. A donation of Moderna vaccines was shipped to Haiti for the start of the vaccination program. As of 15 February 2022, 150,734 Haitians (1.29% of the population) had received at least a first dose of the Spikevax (Moderna) vaccine at the 149 open vaccination centers since the start of vaccination on 16 July 2021. Haiti rejected a donation of 100,000 AstraZeneca vaccines from the Dominican Republic. 100,126 Haitians are fully vaccinated (2 doses, 0.86% of the population) as of the 15 February 2022 update, of a population of more than 11.4 million people. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians that live and work in the Dominican Republic have been vaccinated here. Most employers in the Dominican Republic have required their employees be vaccinated.
The Dominican government has authorized the vaccinating of Haitians with IDs and domicile in the Dominican Republic, but there is much resistance even among those living in the DR to get vaccinated.
Overall, health experts attribute the general low number of deaths in Haiti 70 per 1M pop compared to 396 per 1M in the DR) as of 26 February 2022 in part is due to widespread vaccinating of babies with the tuberculosis vaccine and widespread use of ivermectin for parasites. Both actions are said to have raised the immunity of the Haitian population in general. In Haiti most people do not wear masks nor exercise physical distancing.
In the Americas, the Dominican Republic is ranked 17th in confirmed cases after the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Bolivia, Ecuador, Panama, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Uruguay and Paraguay.
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
1 March 2022