The 4-week Covid-19 positivity rate is now at 1.43%, with the 24-hour positivity rate at 5.50%, as per Covid-19 Bulletin #1,067 dated 18 February 2023. The downward trend in cases continues.
The number of Covid-19 registered cases in the Dominican Republic for Bulletin #1,067 was 26, resulting from 473 Covid-19 lab tests, of which 5 were PCR tests. The seven-day average of lab-reported cases is 23. With very few exceptions, most cases are mild and are treated as a cold at home.
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Public Health is encouraging people to up their vaccination status, with a third, fourth or fifth vaccine that are available for free in the Dominican Republic. The analysis of samples from people recently infected with Covid-19 confirms the subvariant of the Omicron strain, known as XBB, is circulating in the country. The new variant is not worse than the Omicron, but does spread rapidly. The symptoms are a cough, runny nose and fever.
The number of Covid-19 cases had increased before the holidays as the weather turned chilly in the evenings and early mornings. More people are congregating inside, meaning greater possibilities for spreading the virus. But most people are just seeing Covid as a seasonal cold.
The number of active cases is at 239. The seven-day active cases average is now 226.
Except in hospitals, every day less people wear facial masks in the Dominican Republic. Nevertheless, in recent days, given the impact of seasonal influenza, more people are again using face masks as a preventive measure.
As per Bulletin #1,067, with the deadline of 18 February 2023, the Ministry of Public Health has registered 660,551 PCR or antigen-confirmed cases since the first case on 1 March 2020.
As of the 18 February 2023 deadline, 4,384 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 1M/death rate is at 419.58 compared to the 2,817.63 global average. The fatality rate in the DR is at 0.66%.
Of the 26 lab-reported Covid-19 cases, 12 were recorded in Santiago, 11 in Santo Domingo province and 1 case in the National District, Hermanas Mirabal and San Jose de Ocoa.
19 February 2023