Dominica’s national Epidemiologist, Dr. Shalauddin Ahmed, has revealed that the country has recorded 8 additional cases of COVID-19, which takes the number of active cases to 17, and the total number of confirmed cases to 50.
Speaking at a health press briefing on the evening of Friday, October 30, 2020, Dr. Ahmed, disclosed that the last seven of the eight positive cases are contacts of an individual from the community of Jimmit who has a travel history. One other positive case is a deportee who has been in the quarantine facility since arriving in Dominica on October 23rd, 2020.
Meantime, Health Minister Dr. Irvin McIntyre has disclosed that the government will be going to Parliament to legislate new measures such as mandatory wearing of face masks, in light of the current upsurge of COVID-19 cases here in Dominica.
He stated that this sudden increase requires “greater resources” and “warrants more attention and focus from the Ministry of Health.”
“Based on the advice given by the health technical committee, the government is strongly discouraging the hosting of all mass festive activities during the independent season from today 30th October until the 4th of November 2020,” he said.
He further stated that in an effort to continue to help the society protect itself from COVID-19, the cabinet, on the advice of the Ministry of Health technical team, has taken the decision to make the wearing of face masks or face-covering in public places, mandatory.
“The necessary legislation to provide statutory authority for this requirement will be made in the coming week…I am encouraging us all to avoid planning of mass gathering events and refrain from participating in spontaneous mass gatherings as well,” he said.
According to Dr. McIntyre, all categories of healthcare workers have willingly consented to cancel vacation leave, and those on vacation leave have returned, all in an effort to ensure that the fight against COVID-19 continues.
“Such a fight must be a collective approach and all the business establishments, religious groups and churches, entertainers, radio stations, parents, village councils and town councils need to be part of the response,” he said.