WILLEMSTAD - The number of new cases seems to be declining, but appearances are deceptive. The R-number goes down towards 1, but again appearances can be deceiving. This is according to epidemiologist Dr. Izzy Gerstenbluth this morning during the press conference.
“If you look at how the situation is now and since the beginning of March, we are on a horizontal line, a plateau. Every day there are around 200 new cases. That means the virus is still spreading. 200 new cases per day means that the pressure on the hospital remains high. We must consider that the numbers will remain high for the time being, so we have to stick to the measures, but also vaccinate,” said Dr. Gerstenbluth.
The positivity rate is 35 percent, which is too high. The infections in the group between 40 and 60 years old are increasing. That is a risk group, says the epidemiologist. The doctor also says that more and more younger people are being admitted to the hospital and are dying.
New measures will be announced next week and Gerstenbluth advises to keep in mind what he has said about the age groups. Vaccinating is the only way out. There are people dying in the hospital, but now also more at home. “Videos are distributed what to do if you are positive. In any case, stay at home and isolate yourself from others you live with,” said Dr. Gerstenbluth.