Dominica records first case of COVID-19

Dominica has reported its first case of COVID-19.

Minister for Health, Wellness and New Health Investment, Irving McIntyre, made the announcements in a media statement on Sunday.

McIntyre said the patient is a 54-year-old Dominican citizen who recently returned from the United Kingdom. He said the individual was placed under home quarantine from the time of arrival and has been under surveillance by a medical team.

The minister added that the person is being treated in a special isolation unit and will remain there until recovery.

“In accordance with public health practices, the ministry of health has initiated aggressive contact tracing to identify every individual who may have come into close contact with this patient,” McIntyre stated. “All individuals identified during contact tracing will be tested and placed under quarantine.”

He said the primary focus of the ministry of health is to ensure containment and prevent in-country transmission and assured the public that all necessary actions are being taken.

“The ministry advises the public to continue to follow proper hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and social distancing,” the health minister stated,” and to “inform health officials in their districts about anyone not adhering to quarantine measures.”