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Dominican Republic records highest COVID-19 cases in Caribbean

- as global & regional figures soar, according to WHO situation report
Regional neighbour the Dominican Republic now has 72 cases of Novel Coronavirus, with 2 deaths. Photo: Caribbean Journal
According to the latest situation report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) released March 23, 2020, the Americas region, inclusive of the United States and Canada, now has 31,573 confirmed cases with 402 deaths in total. Photo: WHO
According to the latest situation report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) released March 23, 2020, the Americas region, inclusive of the United States and Canada, now has 31,573 confirmed cases with 402 deaths in total. Photo: WHO
Cruise ship calls to the Virgin Islands have been banned for a month, effective March 14, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
Cruise ship calls to the Virgin Islands have been banned for a month, effective March 14, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - As confirmed cases of the dreaded Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to soar in Europe, the Americas and other parts of the world, the [British] Virgin Islands is one of the few countries yet to confirm its first case.

According to the latest situation report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) released March 23, 2020, the Americas region, inclusive of the United States and Canada, now has 31,573 confirmed cases with 402 deaths in total. 

Regional neighbour the Dominican Republic now has 72 cases with 2 deaths, Trinidad and Tobago has 50 cases, Jamaica 19 cases and 1 death, Barbados 5 cases, Cuba has 16 cases and 1 death and, just next door, the US Virgin Islands (USVI) has upwards of 17 confirmed cases of the deadly virus, according to local media.

However, despite no confirmed case reported, the Virgin Islands continues to ramp up its response and preparedness for the virus, prioritising the protection of the most vulnerable in the community.

Elderly most at risk 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions- like heart or lung disease or diabetes- are at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.

So far the Virgin Islands has put restrictions on visitations to elderly homes as announced by Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), "residential establishments, namely, the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly, Virgin Gorda Elderly Home, Rainbow Children's Home, Safe Haven Transitional Centre and other private residential facilities, and as may be amended by the Cabinet, are advised to prohibit visits in and visits out, with the exception of emergency situations determined by the facility to necessitate a visit," he said on March 17, 2020.

The Virgin Islands also further ramped up its border protection measures by closing all airports and seaports to inbound passengers (whether nationals or non-nationals) until Monday, April 6, 2020 in a 14-day lockdown.

Previous border restriction measures have allowed for nationals to enter then placed into quarantine. In the new restriction crew members on incoming vessels will also not be allowed to leave the port facility and enter the Territory.

More Restrictions 

Cruise ship calls remain blocked effective March 14, 2020, with more measures such as the postponement of local festivals and other cultural gatherings. 

There has also been a closure of all schools for 14 days since Thursday, March 19, 2020, with restrictions placed on gatherings in churches and religious places for max 30 persons and less for elderly gatherings with bars, restaurants and nightclubs told to implement sanitisation & social distancing in response to COVID-19 and close by 8:00pm.  

Additionally, visits to Her Majesty's Prison are restricted for 30 days, with the exception of emergency situations, which must be determined by the facility.

14 Responses to “Dominican Republic records highest COVID-19 cases in Caribbean”

  • eyes (24/03/2020, 13:50) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr premier don't slip up and open up travel from Dominica republic ban national from that country until this thing is over.
    • Yep (24/03/2020, 15:53) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
      Also that area above Little Switzerland where all those contractors needs to be addressed ! So many workers living upstairs there... that's the places where this virus will kick off big time here !
      • @Yep (24/03/2020, 20:22) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
        Little Switzerland is located at the C.B.Romney Pier Park. Are you saying there are persons residing at the Pier Park?
    • Me (24/03/2020, 17:02) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      Stupid, St Thomas has many as well but the tomians can come in. racist ignorant..
  • Really? (24/03/2020, 14:00) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    According to https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ DR has 312 cases and 6 deaths to date reported - Jamaica 21 cases reported, you check the rest
    • My girl (24/03/2020, 14:35) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      Yes true, I find that website has really inflated numbers and its not official
      • NICK (24/03/2020, 21:37) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
        This website have not inflated numbers and get his informations from the Who.
  • nonsense (24/03/2020, 18:34) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is no the DR. Alone is all over The word. DR have a few compared to the United States have almost 50.000 infected. Just pray. This no touch tórtola. Because this is serious.
    • Bandit (25/03/2020, 11:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      U.S. is over 100 thousand times bigger than the DR so whats your point, therefore by statistic DR cases are very high.
  • NICK (24/03/2020, 20:52) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not sure where you are getting your informations but dominican republic have 312 cases of coronavirus
  • mingo (24/03/2020, 21:12) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mingo is the tola boys playground
  • Bandit (25/03/2020, 11:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not surprise that the DR has the highest cases. They had their borders wide open excepting visitors from Europe especially Italy was this entire pandemic started. The truly wanted the tourist money.
  • Numbers (25/03/2020, 12:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    its a country with more than 10 million people, and 3 million illegal Haitians in DR. So we are talking about 14 million people live there, and you are telling me that only 300 hundred, that means they are doing better than St. Thomas or the USA. So We better watch out for the USVI.


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