Weekly Recap: Top five stories you may have missed

Bringing a wealth of knowledge to the institution, former banker for 30 years Annette Severin-Lestrade is the new managing director of the National Bank of Dominica (NBD). Severin-Lestrade who is described as a results-focused professional is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and Certified Financial Crimes Specialist (CFCS), and through her company, 767Compliance and Business Services, provides training and advisory services in AML/ CFT and customer service, and other business services. She replaces Ellingworth Edwards who was appointed into the position of managing director July 1, 2014.

About 1% of COVID-19 patients in Dominica are expected to see symptoms of COVID-19 conjunctivitis, says Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr. Hazel Shillingford-Ricketts while reporting her diagnosis of the first case on the island. Stressing the possibility of other cases among citizens, she informed that the infection presents as a red/pink eye with one or both eyes red and is more common in males with moderate disease and females with mild disease. According to Dr. Shillingford- Ricketts, the virus may not be associated with other symptoms and signs of COVID-19 and those infected may experience watery discharge from the eye, mild itch/ gritty eye sensation, mild swelling of eyelids and conjunctiva as well as mild painful lymph nodes in front of ears.

The Ministry of Health is providing financial incentives to its staff during the COVID-19 period. As stated by Health Minister Dr. Irvin McIntyre the incentives which include gift and food vouchers, daily meals, transportation, and financial incentives are well deserved as staff of the Ministry of Health have shown commitments as the country battles COVID-19. "This pandemic, there's something you must manage, you must manage the welfare, the mental health of your staff. The last thing you would need is for our staff to break down on us," he said.

This past week the country also went on complete lockdown to allow the frontline workers to rest, announced Cabinet Secretary, Careen Prevost. Acting Deputy Chief of Police Davidson Valerie has reported that the police have charged over 30 persons for breaches of the Curfew Order and will continue to charge anyone found to violate the imposed restriction. On Tuesday, August 3rd, Dominica introduced a curfew and other strong measures to deal with a sudden rise in Covid-19 cases.

The government of the United States has gifted the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) 5.5 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine of which Dominica is to benefit. This donation to the region is part of the United States' worldwide distribution of 80 million doses according to a US Embassy release.