WILLEMSTAD - Three-quarters of the tests sent to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in the Netherlands turned out to test positive for the British variant of the coronavirus. Epidemiologist Dr. Izzy Gerstenbluth reported this at the press conference today.
These are the results of the second batch, which are based on the period from 16 to 21 February. 24 results were tested positive for the new British variant, which is about 75 percent of the number of random samples that were sent. Gerstenbluth calls the rapid, significant increase in the number of positive cases a consequence of this.
“We were happy with the figures in recent weeks, which is why the measures have been scaled down. Almost 7,000 tests have been carried out in the past month. The positivity rate was therefore 2 percent. The number of people who have tested positive in recent days has increased significantly. Tests have also been sent to RIVM to see whether the new variant is included. The African variant is also being looked at, but also those of California and New York. These variants are much more contagious,” said Dr. Gerstenbluth.
The new variants are available on Bonaire and Aruba. Now it appears that Curaçao also has them. The increase of the past days can be explained by the extra contagious variants. The epidemiologist says that this is the reason why the government cannot wait to take measures now. The positivity rate of Curacao has doubled in 1 week.
“Over the past year we have managed to keep the situation under control. We must therefore continue to ensure that we comply with the measures, including during the elections. It is not the intention to cancel the elections, but it must not be a super spread event,” said Dr. Gerstenbluth.
Gerstenbluth calls on people to get vaccinated. If more than 80 percent of the population is vaccinated, the government can scale down the measures.
“The virus that is extra contagious is now spreading widely. This is not a joke. The positivity rate has doubled in less than a week,” Gerstenbluth warns.