WILLEMSTAD - Epidemiologist Dr. Izzy Getsenbluth calls the infections announced on Wednesday worrying. 41 new infections were added, bringing the number of active infections to 165. According to the epidemiologist, there has been a constant increase in the number of infections in the past week. "If this continues, we'll have to see how this translates into hospital admissions."
Gerstenbluth says that the rising figures are in line with expectations. "Omicron is more widespread than we think and so it is only a matter of time before this variant will also circulate in Curaçao," said the epidemiologist. "Especially in December when family and friends come to the island, we have to be extra careful."
It is now clear that the Omicron mutant is spreading much faster, probably two to three times faster than the delta variant. In addition, much is still unclear, especially how sickening the omicron variant is.
Gerstenbluth does not know whether the mutant is already in Curaçao. "We send samples to the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) every week, but the Omicron variant has not been found to date. However, that is only a matter of time."
Gerstenbluth cannot yet say at this stage when more serious measures should be taken. "It is important to see how the increasing infections translate into the number of hospital admissions," said the epidemiologist.
Gerstenbluth once again emphasizes the importance of vaccinations and calls for 'boosting like crazy and getting more people vaccinated.'