Archive for March, 2018
PUERTO PLATA.- Due to the strong waves that are registered in all the beaches of the coast of Puerto Plata, the authorities chose to prohibit the access of bathers and the carrying out of aquatic activities in “Amber Coast”.
According to the information provided by the provincial director of Civil Defense; Whascar García, for the safety of foreign tourists and national vacationers, has issued a local preventive alert until the marine conditions return to normal.
They have placed the Red Flag on the main beaches of this province, where the bathing remains restricted until conditions permit, due to the significant deterioration of the waves it was ordered to remain in port for operators of fragile, small and medium-sized vessels throughout the Atlantic coast.
The marine report indicates that the wind in Puerto Plata is blowing from north east from 15 to 25 knots, causing waves of 9 to 11 feet near the coast rising out to sea, which on Wednesday prevented the arrival of the cruise MS Nieuw Amsterdam, that would have arrived at the Amber Cove terminal of Maimon with more than 4 thousand passengers on board.
The bad weather conditions over Puerto Plata in the middle of Holy Week 2018, are due to the presence of a cold front located in the north of the country that will cause rains in the Cibao, northwest, northeast, southeast, and Cordillera Central regions.
Source: Puerto Plata Digital
March 29, 2018
Source: Detras del Rumor
March 28, 2018
PUERTO PLATA.- The General Directorate of Traffic Safety and Land Transportation (DIGESETT) in this jurisdiction, warned that drivers who are caught drinking alcohol or intoxicated, their vehicle will be seized in order to avoid unfortunate situations during the Holy Week holiday.
The authorities of Puerto Plata that make up the Emergency Operations Center (COE), informed that DIGESETT agents are authorized to proceed to retain all vehicles that are guided by citizens in a drunken state in order to avoid collisions, landslides and other road accidents.
Likewise, during the Holy Week holiday it is absolutely forbidden for people to be transported in open vehicles such as vans and trucks, because it has been proven that, in most cases, citizens injured in accidents travel unprotected in the back of these vehicles mentioned above.
They reminded the motorcyclists that they should travel through the streets, avenues, highways or roads of Puerto Plata and other localities in the country, wearing their protective helmets on their heads and only two people can carry them, since those who do not comply with this safety regulation will be sanctioned according to those established by Law 63-17.
Source: DR1, Puerto Plata Digital
March 28, 2018
PUERTO PLATA.- The Amphitheater of Puerto Plata will celebrate its first anniversary with the performances of Watson Brazobán, Tony Dize, Toño Rosario, Mozat la Para, Eddy Herrera and Davicito Kada, in a majestic concert of popular music that its organizers assure will cause a great national impact.
The Amphitheater was inaugurated on Holy Saturday 2017 and in the same place where a stage has been designed using the latest technology, so that attendees can also enjoy the artists and a good team of animators, good sounds, lights, special effects , artificial fire and the natural beauty of the area on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, which guarantees a good organization and a concert of high quality level.
In a press release sent to this medium, it is specified that this Saturday, March 31 will vibrate of emotions and joy with the concert of the most stuck stars of the world of music, the feeling of song of Watson Brazobán, the romanticism of Tony Dize , the musical storm of the galactic Toño Rosario, the leader of urban music Mozat La Para, the merengue heartthrob; Eddy Herrera and the charismatic salsa player Davicito Kada.
The artistic event that has been called “Megasuperaniversario of the wonderful Puerto Plata Amphitheater”, is scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m. at the stage built by the government with an amount of more than 400 million pesos, broke worldwide record of presentations and number of national and international artists who performed from April to December 2017.
In addition, the concert is sponsored by the Brugal liquor company, Ministry of Tourism, Dominican National Brewery on behalf of its beer Presidente, Pepsi, Energizer 911 products, in addition to the telecommunications company Altice, Presidency of the Republic, the Mayor of the San Felipe municipality of Puerto Plata and is organized by the prominent producer Luís Medrano.
Tickets are now on sale on Tickets Express, ticket office of the Amphitheater. The tickets, can also be purchased at the Playa Dorada hotel complex, at the Blue Jacktar and Puerto Plata Village hotels; also in the José Luis supermarkets, Rayola Center, Puerto Plata City Hall, Passatore Restaurant, Sebastian Restaurant, Chile and Limón, Meclao Rooftop, Jumbo, Cigar Lounge, Viajes Gilmar, and Pauli Gas.
Source: Puerto Plata Digital
March 27, 2018
The National HIV/AIDS Council (Conavihsida) announced its intention to distribute 60,000 condoms free to prevent sexually transmittable diseases during Easter Week. Easter Week is the leading domestic holiday in the Dominican Republic. What was once a time for religious retrospection is now big time for beach destination reveling.
Victor Terrero said that Easter Week is a time of reflection and recollection. He said a responsible sexual behavior is an important decision for each person.
“We are interested in taking advantage of all possible scenarios to promote the need to prevent the transmission of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases,” said Terrero. He said in addition to the condoms, they would be distributing educational materials with basic information about HIV and its modes of transmission.
Source: DR1, 7dias
March 28, 2018
PUERTO PLATA .- Given the concern that has generated a possible outbreak of diphtheria, a leading medical professional in this city, urged the population to take precautions from the disease that is transmitted easily through coughing and sneezing.
Dr. Anulfo Suero Santana, said that diphtheria is a disease caused by bacterial strains that produce toxins, which is transmitted mainly through the respiratory tract.
Suero Santana reiterated his exhortation to the population that we should be prepared to cough or sneeze, because when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks, he releases small microscopic particles of saliva that spread in the air.
He explained that these particles can be inhaled by healthy people who are nearby, infecting them, but also added that places with overcrowding and lack of hygiene are also contaminating factors of this disease.
The former president of the Dominican Medical College (CMD) in Puerto Plata, said the common symptoms of diphtheria are: malaise, tonsillitis, cough, difficulty of breathing, bluish discoloration of the skin, pain when swallowing, fever and chills, plus of the inflammation of the ganglia in the neck.
On the threat of the probable outbreak of diphtheria, this editor tried to establish communication with the health authorities in Puerto Plata, but the efforts were unsuccessful, while several people confirmed that at the Doctor Francisco Antonio González Hardy Health Center, the DT vaccine (diphtheria and tetanus) that is preventive of that bacterial disease.
Source: Puerto Plata Digital
March 27, 2018
The National Metereological Office (Onamet) forecasts rains will water out the vacation of many travelers this Easter Week, especially those heading to the north coast and mountain areas. Good weather, nevertheless, is forecast for La Altagracia, La Romana, Samana and Barahona provinces, the main local vacation destinations for the later part of the holiday.
Onamet has listed 16 provinces that will be affected by rains and issued green alerts. These are Montecristi, Dajabón, Espaillat, El Seibo, Hato Mayor, La Vega, Monseñor Nouel, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Puerto Plata, San Cristobal, Santiago, Santo Domingo, San Pedro de Macoris and the National District.
Onamet says the temperatures will be cool in the evening (lows of around 22C), but warm around noon.
Onamet forecasts the front system affecting local weather will have passed by next Monday.
Source: DR1
March 27, 2018
In the last 20 years, the production of fish in the country has decreased by over half. In 1996, there were 18,000 tons of fish, but in 2006, it was down to 11,104 and by 2015 down to 8,944. Unsustainable fishing practices, coral reef loss, overfishing and climate change are identified as reasons for the decline.
The information was given in the “Third National Communication of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations’ Convention on Climate Change” which was published recently.
In addition to the reduction in fish production, the number of fishermen and fishing boats has also declined, probably as the trade is not as lucrative as before, and in addition as the fishers know, there are less fish forcing many fishers to look for other sources of income.
The report goes on to say that fishing contributes only 0.3% to GDP and most consumption is in the tourist areas in the east of the country. Many of the resorts also have to import fish for their customers as the local production cannot satisfy the demand.
In the Dominican Republic, excluding freshwater fish, there are around 300 species of fish plus crustaceans and shellfish that are found in mangroves, coral reefs and the open sea.
Samaná is the province with most fishermen; in 2015 there were 2,161, and 951 fishing boats.
Source: DR1, Listindiario
March 27, 2018
The Major League baseball pitcher, Bartolo Colón, has been sued in the Dominican courts by two doctors who carried out stem cell treatment on his which enabled him to extend his career from 2011 to date, and are asking for the payment of outstanding bills according to an agreement made between the physicians and Colon. The complaint filed in court claimed that the payment owned to the doctors was linked the success of the procedure.
Doctors Leonel Liriano and Sergio Guzmán allege that they treated Colón in 2010 when it appeared that his career in the Major Leagues was all but over. But thanks to the work of Liriano and Guzman, Colon was able to continue playing at a high level while earning a salary of more than US$45 million.
The physicians explained that the agreement reached with Colón was that if the treatment was not a success he would not be required to pay. However, if the procedure was successful (as it was) Colon had agreed to pay the doctors a percentage of his salary. In the lawsuit, they are asking for US$4 million.
The doctors maintain that they did not only help return Colon to full health and wellbeing but that they revitalized his career that led directly to his ability to earn several big paydays. With his “new” right arm, Colon became the third Latin American pitcher with the most Major League victories after Nicaraguan Dennis Martínez and his compatriot Juan Marichal.
The physicians noted that due to problems with his pitching arm, Colón was out of baseball in 2009 and 2010 seasons, having left Boston Red Sox the previous year. In March 2011, Colón allegedly accepted the doctors’ proposition and underwent stem cell transplant to repair the damaged tissues in his shoulder in the Centro Union Medica Clinic in Santiago in 2011.
Bartolo Colón did not have money to pay for the procedure at the time and hence agreed to pay 1% of his salary to those who participated in it. The lawsuit claims that Colon has not made payment to the treating physicians.
Source: DR1, Almomento
March 27, 2018
The Ministry of Public Health warns the public that there is an increase in the incidence of influenza in the country. The AH1N1 strain is spreading. Four deaths have been confirmed of the 98,909 cases reported to the Ministry of Public Health.
Raquel Pimentel, director of Epidemiology at the Ministry of Public Health, stressed the importance of preventing the sickness by limiting its expansion by taking measures such as the sneezing into the bend of the elbow, not the hand. Sneezing into the arm is being encouraged as one of the better ways to avoid the spreading of droplets from sneezing and coughing. When sneezing into the hands, these droplets can be passed on to doorknobs, elevator buttons and other surfaces people regularly touch. Vulnerable persons with flu symptoms should seek medical care.
The Ministry of Public Health also reported one death attributed to diphtheria, a Haitian child in El Chucho, Los Alcarrizos in northern Santo Domingo. The child, four year old Wender Vicente, had arrived in the Dominican Republic on 21 March and according to his mother, 29 year old Sheyla Filguera, he seemed to be in good health. However the following day he had a fever and he was taken to hospital on the Friday where he was admitted to intensive care being unable to breathe. He died on Sunday 25 March.
The Ministry of Public Health subsequently issued an epidemiology alert and asked all parent to make sure that their children have received the correct diphtheria vaccination protocol that consists of three doses before the age of one year, a booster at 18 months and another shot at aged four. Those who have not received this battery of shots should go to a health clinic or hospital to be vaccinated.
A growing number of Haitians frequently travel back and forth from Haiti to the Dominican Republic. There is an outbreak of diphtheria in Haiti. Many residents are concerned that a highly mobile population may bring the diphtheria virus into their community. To prevent the spread of diphtheria, the Ministry carried out vaccination program in the area on Sunday, 25 March 2018.
The Ministry has said there is no need for alarm in the general population, and that there is sufficient supplies of the vaccine. Those who have been vaccinated have nothing to fear, early diagnosis of diphtheria would mean there is no risk of death and that the child who died was only diagnosed with diphtheria clinically and the results of laboratory tests are not yet available.
Source: DR1, Listindiario
march 27, 2018
