THE HAGUE - Curaçao and Aruba received a financial contribution from the Dutch Ministry of Health for the implementation of the booster campaigns. At the same time, the deployment of temporary staff of an American medical employment agency in the hospitals in Curaçao and Sint Maarten – also paid by the Netherlands – is being phased out. Minister Ernst Kuipers (VWS) reports this in the 'state of affairs letter' to the Lower Chamber of the Dutch Parliament.
From Minister Kuipers’ letter
“The COVID outbreak that has occurred in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom since the end of December appears to be decreasing. The number of new and active infections is falling on all islands. It seems that the peak in the number of hospital admissions has been reached at the end of January, the number of hospital admissions has also been decreasing since then.
The decrease in the number of infections and the reduced pressure on healthcare make it possible to relax measures. The measures have therefore been relaxed on all islands as of the beginning of February. There is no relaxation of measures on Sint Maarten, given the high pressure on healthcare. Since January 24, the Sint Maarten Medical Center has temporarily stopped with elective admissions due to high numbers of infections among the staff. Elective admissions are now taking place again.
As of February 7, a phased reduction of temporary staff of an American medical employment agency was started, which was deployed by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport to support the hospitals in Sint Maarten and Curaçao.
Vaccination campaigns
The health authorities on the islands offer the basic vaccination series to all residents of 5 years and older. Sint Eustatius will shortly start vaccinating 5- to 11-year-olds. In addition, the health authorities, like the GGDs in the European Netherlands, offer the booster vaccination to improve the level of protection and extend the duration of action of the basic series. Currently, the various islands are moving to an approach where health authorities go into neighborhoods to reach vulnerable groups. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport provides financial assistance to Curaçao and Aruba for the implementation of the booster campaigns.
Of the 18+ population on Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten, 72%, 75% and 47% respectively have been fully vaccinated. On Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, respectively 79%, 60% and 93% of the 18+ population is fully vaccinated. The vaccination coverage among 12 to 17 year olds (full base series) is 38% in Curaçao, 60% in Aruba, 25% in Sint Maarten, 62% in Bonaire, 29% in Sint Eustatius and 94% in Saba.