New Rising Covid-19 Cases In St Maarten Alarming Latest.

** Alarming increase in confirmed cases **

The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley hereby informs the public that we have been seeing a steady rise in the number of confirmed cases.

A total of 44 confirmed cases has been recorded over the past three days. The total active cases has now increased to 63 persons. Minister Ottley stated; “it is time for a tough decision to be made, to ensure the safety of our population”.

CPS has conducted extensive contact tracing and as a result, 4 clusters has been reported. An urgent meeting will be held between the Minister, CPS and the Public health department tomorrow, to decide on the way moving forward.

If you are experiencing signs and symptoms, notify your GP or call CPS at 914. In efforts to prevent the spread of the virus, stay at home and decline all visitors. Self-quarantine and isolation are interventions meant to help protect the community by preventing exposure.

** 19 confirmed COVID-19 cases today **

As of May 19th, there were nineteen (19) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however five (5) persons have recovered; bringing the total active cases to sixty three (63). The total number of confirmed cases is now two thousand three hundred twenty six (2326).

The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) are monitoring fifty nine (59) people in home isolation. Four (4) patients are hospitalized at the St. Maarten Medical Center. The total number of deaths due to COVID-19 remains at twenty seven (27).

The number of people recovered since the first case surfaced on St. Maarten has increased to two thousand two hundred thirty six (2236). Eighty eight (88) people are in quarantine based on contact tracing investigations carried out by CPS.

The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA) Airport Health Team in collaboration with Health Care Laboratory Sint Maarten (HCLS) have tested 2, 890 travelers arriving at the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA), while CPS tested 28, 642 people throughout the community. As the numbers continue to fluctuate, CPS will continue to actively execute its contact tracing measures.

Minister Ottley hereby reminds everyone to be mindful of your surroundings. Persons who are feeling unwell, are encouraged to go to the COVID-19 testing site in Point Blanche (before the harbor). The opening hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 – 11 AM or by appointment on the weekend.

** Free Bus Shuttle Service to Saturdays Pop-up Vaccination at the Orange Grove Pharmacy in Cole Bay **

The next “Pop Up Vaccination” will be in Cole Bay on Saturday, May 22 at the Orange Grove Shopping Center, Orange Grove Pharmacy from 9:00AM to 2:00PM.

Free shuttle service will be provided. Persons who would like to get vaccinated should bring a photo ID. The start time for shuttle service is 8:30 AM and concluded approximately 2:30 PM.

Buses will run every hour. The Cay Bay Shuttle will pick-up persons at the following locations: Caribbean Concrete; Entrance of Aaron Jacob Drive; Red Fox Grocery; Leonard Connor School; Leopold Bell School; with the final stop at the Orange Grove Pharmacy/Orange Grove Shopping Center.

The Simpson Bay Shuttle will pick-up persons at the following points: Police Station (Airport Blvd); Windward Islands Bank (Airport Blvd); Simpson Bay Community Center; Route via Causeway bridge); and the final stop at the Orange Grove Pharmacy.

The Cole Bay Shuttle pick-up points are: Little Well Oasis (Well Road); Tropicana Casino; Peking Supermarket; Narrow Drive; with the final stop at the Orange Grove Pharmacy.