ST. EUSTATIUS--St. Eustatius has one new case of COVID-19, Government Commissioner Marnix van Rij said Wednesday, bringing the total count of registered active cases to nine.
The person who tested positive was in quarantine and has now been put into isolation, Van Rij said. At present there are nine persons in isolation, a total of 89 persons are in quarantine and there are seven tests for the coronavirus pending.
During the past week, 114 tests were carried out on members of Queen Beatrix Medical Centre (QBMC) and on staff and residents of St. Eustatius Auxiliary Home in an effort to identify and prevent a further spread of the virus at the medical centre and the healthcare sector at large.
Van Rij said all 114 tests came back negative, but on Monday, September 21, and on Wednesday, September 23, one positive case was reported on each of those days.
“There are still a lot of people in self-quarantine and it is very important that everyone adheres to the rules under the current emergency ordinance which means wearing a mask, social distancing, respecting the hygienic rules, as well as the curfew and being disciplined,” he stated.
Van Rij said the majority of the Statia community immediately adopted the measures that were announced two weeks ago due to the increase of positive cases. He said the Public Entity St. Eustatius appreciates the majority of the public’s willingness to change their habits and adapt to the situation. He thanked the public for being co-responsible during these difficult times, “because without you we are nowhere as government.”
Today, Thursday, September 24, the public entity plans to provide details on what measures will be implemented during the next two weeks under the new emergency ordinance. The island government will also engage in a dialogue with school leaders and will also provide details about the situation at the Public Health Department and the medical centre.
