PHILIPSBURG:—As of December 20th, there were five (5) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however, there was a recovery rate of twenty-five (25) persons; bringing the total active cases to one hundred and eighteen (118). The total number of confirmed cases is now one thousand three hundred and twenty- eight (1328).
The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) are monitoring one hundred and eleven (111) people in home isolation. Seven (7) patients are hospitalized at the St. Maarten Medical Center. The total number of deaths due to COVID-19 remains at twenty- six (26).
The number of people recovered since the first case surfaced on St. Maarten has increased to one thousand one hundred and eighty-four (1184). Two hundred and fifty- five (255) people remain in quarantine based on contact tracing investigations carried out by CPS of persons who may have been in contact with any of the active cases.
The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA) Airport Health Team in collaboration with Health Care Laboratory Sint Maarten (HCLS) has tested 1732 travelers arriving at the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) and CPS has tested 9715 people throughout the community. As the numbers continue to fluctuate, CPS will continue to actively execute its contact tracing measures.
Minister Panneflek stated that it was brought to his attention, that many persons within the community have been questioning the press release published concerning the National Public Holiday on Monday, December 28th, 2020. This release is indeed accurate and while we are approaching the holidays, he encourages all to refrain from mass gatherings, wash your hands frequently, wear your mask, and watch your distance.
