​Process for postponing elections begins as contagion and dismissals grow

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - In Brief 06 Apr 2020 by Pavel Isa

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The Ministry of Public Health confirmed that until last Saturday (April 4) a total of 1,745 people has been diagnosed with Covid-19. 53% of all cases have been registered in the Greater Santo Domingo area. Of the total number of people diagnosed, 82 have died, 17 have recovered and the rest continue to be active cases, most of them in home confinement. The daily average of positive diagnoses over the last seven days is 127, and the daily average of deaths is 6. The total number of tests done every day continue to be low, especially since the number of kits available is insufficient. That is why, as in many other countries, it is presumed that the number of infected people is much higher. 5,183 tests had been carried out since the outbreak and over the last week, the daily average of tests carried is just above 300. The limited data available indicates that the impact of the economic downturn is enormous. The Ministry of Labor reported that private sector companies have suspended near 435,000 of their employees, for which they have requested the protection of the FASE program. The program will subsidize monthly wages for up to $ 157 for two months. The total number of suspended employees is equivalent to about 30% of total formal employment in the private sector and 10% of the total workforce. Last Thursday, one day before the end of the curfew period, President Medina signed a decree extending it for another fifteen days, until Friday, April 17. The curfew is from 5pm to 6am. In addition, the President sent a communication to Congress, requesting the extension of the declaration of a State of Emergency for another 25 days. We believe that, as last time, Congress will a...