WILLEMSTAD - Epidemiologist Dr. Izzy Gerstenbluth warns of a boom in infections in a short space of time. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Epidemiology department did not report any infections, but yesterday there were suddenly eight again. "The measures will have to be observed, otherwise we will be back to square one in no time," said the epidemiologist.
"The virus is still circulating. Keep in mind that there are also asymptomatic carriers that can spread." says Gerstenbluth. "Imports are also possible, but we try to discover them with the antigen test on the third day after the arrival of a traveler." The Brazilian and Indian variant, which is now also circulating in Curaçao, have been discovered in this way.
Of Thursday's eight infections, two were detected through the antigen test. Every traveler from the Netherlands is required to submit a negative corona test upon departure and an antigen test must be undergone after three days.
The risk of a boom in infections in a short period of time does therefore remain. "That is why we have to remain careful, and we cannot just freely open everything like normal," says Gerstenbluth. "A boom is lurking with all its consequences."
The new variants in Curaçao were discovered by the antigen test on the third day after arrival.