WILLEMSTAD - Epidemiologist Dr. Izzy Gerstenbluth once again explained the importance of vaccinating against the coronavirus during the Report of the Day on Thursday. Gerstenbluth, together with crisis coordinator Lesley Fer, gave an update on the current corona situation.

There are currently 38 corona patients in hospital, 16 of which are in intensive care. This means that the Intensive Care Unit is full.

The majority of people hospitalized had not been vaccinated, Gerstenbluth said. Only two of the 88 patients were fully vaccinated and thus protected against the virus.

The delta variant is very contagious, which means that people are quickly infected. “If you are vaccinated you can get infected, but the chance is smaller,” the epidemiologist indicates. The message is still to protect yourself and others from the virus.

Fer and Gerstenbluth warn that the virus will continue to circulate if people don't get vaccinated. The chance of new variants increases. Curaçao has a high vaccination rate, but there are still people who are not vaccinated. "If we get vaccinated even more in Curaçao, life can go on."

The current corona measures will be in effect until September 3. Old curfew waivers are invalid from Friday. New exemptions can be applied for since Tuesday. The waivers are intended for people who have to work during the curfew. The application can take up to 72 hours.

More than 92,000 people have registered for a corona vaccine. Of these, just over 85,000 have been fully vaccinated. In total, almost 180,000 shots were administered.