BONAIRE--Island Governor Edison Rijna on Thursday announced that Bonaire had recorded its first coronavirus infection. He spoke of a “different phase, a very special phase.”
The suspect case was acknowledged as such by experts in consultation with the Dutch health authority RIVM.
A test was taken several times. Each time it came back as not positive, but also not negative. Doctors call that inconclusive, explained Rijna.
“Based on the initial result, [the Department of – Ed.] Public Health immediately started an investigation into the source. It probably concerns a contact that took place a few weeks ago with someone who had been in Aruba.
“This contact had mild disease symptoms. Following the contact, the person became ill after some time. As a precaution the person stayed at home voluntarily and was tested recently.
“There has been little or no contact with other people, but all contacts in the immediate vicinity are being investigated further. In the meantime, the person is doing well.
“The investigation in addition to the measures already taken, give us good hope that the infection does not further develop. The COVID drive-thru [testing] helps us to investigate the situation further,” he added.
“So the virus has been found in Bonaire. In all probability this concerns an import case with a subsequent contamination in Bonaire. The source can be traced.
“Restrictive and known measures were taken prior to this contamination. Because there is good insight into the origin of the case – and the contacts – it is not necessary to proceed to a lockdown. Nor does it have any consequences for tomorrow’s repatriation flight.”
Rijna was referring to Friday’s first flight to bring a group of residents stuck in Europe home.
“It is important that you continue to comply with the restrictive measures. Keep your distance from each other, but also keep the peace. Do not be tempted into hoarding or panic – that really is not necessary.
“Bonaire is resilient. We have already faced so many things. If we work together, we can limit the spread of the virus.
“I will keep you and my team up-to-date on the situation. I am counting on you, on your cooperation, and I count on your trust in us and in each other. Together against corona.”
