This is stated by virology specialist and Dominican researcher Robert Paulino, who stated that it has been demonstrated that the zero Covid or closure policy is not the solution because it maintains a very strong social pressure on the countries and advises that the country resume mass case tracking at this time.

To reduce the impact, the specialist understands that measures must focus on capturing and isolating cases, cutting off the transmission, wearing a mask in closed spaces and health centers, and practicing good hygiene. According to Paulino, countries should consider maintaining the availability of tests and treatment, which is a challenge with the new variants because those previously used do not work, so they must continue to invest in research.

Paulino stated that, at this time, when the virus is becoming more prevalent, it is critical to resume massive tests to track cases, which would allow the health system to guarantee access to the population and have more complete surveillance statistics. He emphasized that tracking cases allow them to identify hot spots for virus spread and take appropriate action. “The use of a mask must begin to be reinforced, particularly in medical care spaces, because there is no better place to become infected than health centers, where the first line of response is exposed and also serves as a transmission vehicle,” Dr. Paulino said.

View the full post Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Report for Eastern Caribbean on NOW Grenada.

The Dominican expert recognizes that by relaxing preventive measures such as mask use, low demand for diagnostic tests, crowding, and fatigue, among others, the true state of the virus in the countries will not be reflected.

As a result, he stressed the importance of countries working on SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequencing, noting that in the Dominican Republic, the sequencing indicates that omicron is the most common variant this year and that vaccines are effective against this variant. Concerning the three circulating respiratory viruses, such as influenza, Covid-19, and respiratory syncytial, the specialist stated that seasonal flu cases in the region are increasing after two years of below-average activity.

He noted that the Dominican Republic also experienced below-average activity during the pandemic’s peak years, owing to the impact of all isolation and distancing measures, which contributed to low circulation, but that the country will resume its normal autumn and winter pattern in 2022.

While December 3, 1,404 samples were obtained, but more cases were diagnosed, 182, which was reflected in the daily positivity of that day: 22.92% against 12.91% registered on November 26. In the eight days of this analysis, 1,955 new cases were accumulated, raising the number of confirmed cases in the Dominican Republic to 651,671.

The positivity rate for the last four weeks stood at 5.92% this Saturday after having been at 3.05% a week ago. In these eight days, Greater Santo Domingo, followed by the provinces of Santiago and San Pedro de Macorís, registered the most positive cases. Of the 1,955 cases of COVID-19 accumulated in the last eight days, 897 correspond to the National District, 578 to Greater Santo Domingo, 76 to Santiago, and 74 to San Pedro de Macorís.

Bajan men continue to be disproportionately represented in HIV and AIDS statistics. So much so, that Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey is expressing the hope that these, in addition to the overall numbers for testing, will increase over the next few years.

According to Humphrey, this is going to be essential as the country continues its fight to eradicate the virus.

The minister’s comments were made during an HIV/AIDS service at the Church of the Nazarene in Bank Hall, St Michael, this morning. Speaking to the congregation made up of members from the National HIV/AIDS Commission, he noted that beyond prayer there has to be a conversation around prevention and it must be age and culturally appropriate if it is going to make sense and reach the ears of the targeted.

“… A way that does not turn off people because then it becomes about ourselves. We said what we said and we don’t care what you think — no. If it is about the people we are serving it has to be in a way that they can receive it,” he added.

According to statistics, the number of known HIV/AIDS cases stood at 2 493 in 2020. Acknowledging that during the COVID-19 pandemic figures for other scourges such as child abuse and intimate partner violence increased, the minister concluded that people living with HIV/AIDS may have also increased given the realities of society. This is why Humphrey also contended that part of the conversation has to be about early detection and prolonging life, which has been aided by the use of antiretroviral therapy.

“He added: “The doctors would tell you that we haven’t found a way to stop HIV from becoming AIDS but we’ve found a way to reduce the possibility of it happening if you take the medication. The virus, if left untreated, would probably lead to AIDS. That is why we have to make sure that medication is available to all and the theme Putting Ourselves to the Test: Achieving Equity to End HIV symbolizes the idea that all must be able to have access in this country. It means persons with disability, the older population, those who are poor, any particular group … We have to make sure to find a way where all persons have access and people are treated in a way that they could be respected at the end of the day.”

Additionally, Humphrey implored the church’s partnership in the fight. He stated that the Government cannot do it alone.

“It is not over yet. Not talking about it does not mean it is over and I commend all who have been doing this work for so long and I trust that together we can continue to serve those who need our help,” Humphrey stressed. (KC)

The post Fight against HIV/AIDS isn’t over, Humphrey says appeared first on Barbados Today.

SOURCE: AP — The Albert Einstein hospital says Brazilian soccer great Pele is responding well to treatment for a respiratory infection and his health condition has not worsened over the latest 24 hours.

The 82-year-old Pele has been at the hospital since Tuesday.

Get well messages have poured in from around the world for the three-time World Cup winner as he also undergoes cancer treatment.

Pele’s daughter posted several pictures on Instagram from Brazil fans in Qatar wishing her father well with flags and banners.

Buildings in the Middle Eastern nation also displayed messages in support of the former soccer great.

The post Pele responding well to treatment for respiratory infection appeared first on Barbados Today.

Santo Domingo
Of the 475,000 doses of influenza vaccine acquired by the State to be given free of charge to high-risk groups, 194,568 people have been vaccinated to date, revealed the director of Immunopreventable by Vaccines, Dr. Lucia Vargas.

Dr. Lucia Vargas said that this vaccine is available in 428 authorized posts. They can also receive the vaccine against Covid-19 to complete their schedules and better protect them against the new circulating subvariants.

She explained that up to mid-week, 16,132,440 COVID-19 vaccines have been applied in the population, corresponding to the first dose, 7,295,993; to the second 6,065,999; to the third, 2 499,887 and with the fourth dose 270, 561 doses.

The director of Immunoprevenibles said that 901,255 people only received the first dose and did not receive the second dose, and that of those who received the double dose, 2,861,622 have not yet received the third dose, for which she urged to complete the scheme.

He urged the population to continue with the vaccination process to be immunized and reduce the effects that may be caused by the different variants that are circulating, which arise due to the non-immunization of the population.

He reminded that the program has 428 vaccinations against Covid and that the country has the Pfizer vaccine for children from 12 to 17 years old and the Sinovac vaccine for children from 5 to 11 years old.

Vargas reminded that the country has availability of the yellow fever vaccine, which is a requirement requested by countries where the disease is endemic, and that 10 thousand new doses are expected to be distributed in the different posts and centers established and to increase the capacity.

In turn, the Vice-Minister of Collective Health, Dr. Eladio Pérez, informed that, during the National Vaccination Day against Rabies, directed by the Center for Prevention and Control of Diseases Transmissible by Vectors and Zoonosis, a total of 162,315 animals were immunized, of which 126,353 were dogs, and 35,962 were cats, to establish an epidemiological blockade to reduce the risks of spreading the virus that causes this disease.

The day will be extended for a few more weeks, so they called on the population to bring their pets to be vaccinated to the provincial health directorates.

Testing posts

The deputy minister of Collective Health of the Ministry of Public Health said that the demand for laboratory tests to diagnose Covid-19 has increased in public and private centers and that the country has sufficient supplies.

Santo Domingo
Of the 475,000 doses of influenza vaccine acquired by the State to be given free of charge to high-risk groups, 194,568 people have been vaccinated to date, revealed the director of Immunopreventable by Vaccines, Dr. Lucia Vargas.

Dr. Lucia Vargas said that this vaccine is available in 428 authorized posts. They can also receive the vaccine against Covid-19 to complete their schedules and better protect them against the new circulating subvariants.

She explained that up to mid-week, 16,132,440 COVID-19 vaccines had been applied in the population, corresponding to the first dose, 7,295,993; to the second, 6,065,999; to the third 2, 499,887 and the fourth dose 270, 561 doses.

The director of Immunoprevenibles said that 901,255 people only received the first dose and did not receive the second dose, and that of those who received the double dose, 2,861,622 have not yet received the third dose, for which she urged to complete the scheme.

He urged the population to continue with the vaccination process to be immunized and reduce the effects that may be caused by the different variants that are circulating, which arise due to the non-immunization of the population.

He reminded that the program has 428 vaccinations against Covid and that the country has the Pfizer vaccine for children from 12 to 17 years old and the Sinovac vaccine for children from 5 to 11 years old.

Vargas reminded that the country has availability of the yellow fever vaccine, which is a requirement requested by countries where the disease is endemic, and that 10 thousand new doses are expected to be distributed in the different posts and centers established and to increase the capacity.

In turn, the Vice-Minister of Collective Health, Dr. Eladio Pérez, informed that, during the National Vaccination Day against Rabies, directed by the Center for Prevention and Control of Diseases Transmissible by Vectors and Zoonosis, a total of 162,315 animals were immunized, of which 126,353 were dogs, and 35,962 were cats, to establish an epidemiological blockade to reduce the risks of spreading the virus that causes this disease.

The day will be extended for a few more weeks, so they called on the population to bring their pets to be vaccinated to the provincial health directorates.

Testing posts

The deputy minister of Collective Health of the Ministry of Public Health said that the demand for laboratory tests to diagnose Covid-19 has increased in public and private centers and that the country has sufficient supplies.

In recognition of World AIDS Day on December 1, the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office (CAIPO in Warrens, hosted a special display hoping to raise the level of education about the disease among its clientele.

Speaking to the press on Thursday, Deputy Registrar at CAIPO, Joyann Catwell, said the department wanted to share important and relevant information with all its “shareholders”.

“These are persons who have come to incorporate companies and to register businesses names, we are here to tell them a little bit about AIDS, and in addition to that, we are also here to inform them about beneficial ownership as per our international obligations.”

She explained, “Today at corporate affairs we have our information booth corner, we have a table with leaflets on HIV/AIDS, we also have our condom corner and throughout the day there will prizes and giveaways.”

CAIPO is responsible for the administration of Barbados’ Intellectual Property Rights and advises the Ministry of International Business and Industry on the technical and policy issues which underlie Barbados’ Intellectual Property Rights regime.  

(SB)

The post CAIPO shares HIV/AIDS awareness message appeared first on Barbados Today.

As a result, the National Police launched an extensive investigation into the poisoning suffered by the educators, prompting the educational district 13-02 to suspend classes until next Monday to disinfect the facility and environment, according to the center’s director. Isabel Veras is an educator.

The Ministry of Public Health was able to determine that the cause of the poisoning was herbicide, which occurred after the teachers inhaled a highly toxic substance sprayed on the campus. “We were able to contact a person who lives in front of the school, and he showed us the container in which the herbicide was supplied, which is a burner for cleaning a patio,” a source close to the investigation said.

A woman who lives near the school would have sprayed this liquid to kill the herbs in her yard, but according to the epidemiologist in charge of the Montecristi health province, she sprayed more than the recommended amount, and with the arrival of the wind, the substance entered the school and caused the poisoning. So far, 15 people, including teachers and children, have been taken to the hospital with poisoning symptoms.

The National Police are expected to look into the situation further so that the person responsible can be brought to justice if necessary.