MARIGOT--Regional health agency ARS reported that three more deaths associated with coronavirus COVID-19 have been registered in St. Martin in its latest October 26 to November 1 health bulletin, taking the total number of COVID-related deaths up to twelve – not including a second death of a St. Maarten resident on the French side.
New cases in this period were 38, up from 28 the week before, for an accumulated total of 604 since the pandemic began with a slight increase in active cases from 68 to 70.
Some 34 persons recovered from the virus, bringing the total recoveries to date up to 522 from 488 the week prior. Four persons are currently being treated at the Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital Centre.
St. Barths recorded seven new cases, taking its accumulated total of confirmed cases up to 90. Active cases stand at 13 with 77 persons having recovered from the virus.
A total of 301 supplementary tests were carried out by the laboratory or at the hospital in St. Martin for an accumulated total of 6,373 tests. In St. Barths, 282 supplementary tests were conducted for a total of 3,808 tests.
The testing drive continues at the Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital from 8:00am to 11:00am with a capacity of 50 tests daily. A new antigen test drive is to be implemented for persons travelling to Guadeloupe.
“The level of viral circulation is increasing in St. Martin,” ARS stated in its bulletin. “This situation is worrying at the start of the tourist season. Early detection of positive cases must be reinforced, contact-tracing must be carried out, and isolation must be enforced when necessary to avoid installation of transmission chains and development of outbreaks of contamination.
“Transmission of the virus very often takes place in a private context (family events) or a professional context (at the workplace). Fragile people, often carriers of chronic illnesses, must continue to protect themselves by adhering to barrier measures but also by refusing physical contact (hugs, embraces...). In the event of an onset of symptoms, these people should contact their doctor as soon as the first signs appear.”
