WILLEMSTAD - Dr. Izzy Gerstenbluth announced this morning that there are no known new infections, even though the 1 that is inconclusive is being treated as a confirmed case. But the official count is still at 14 corona infections in Curaçao. Twenty people are still being monitored because they returned to Curacao before the borders were closed.

Dr. Gerstenbluth indicated that there is no major local spread. There are a few local infections, “so we cannot open completely at once. No country was prepared for this, everyone has the same problems; especially the care capacity.”

“What must be in order before we can relax further? We must scale up the care capacity. We have a backup for when things get out of hand, that must be organized before we can relax the measures further, even opening the borders.”

The doctor also said that there must also be enough testing kits to keep testing people. The systems must be adapted to be alert to the coronavirus, including general practitioners must be trained in this. This must all be in order before you start thinking about opening the borders. Data collection has been improved and infections are better identified. The measures must be relaxed step by step, to immediately see what effects the relaxation has. As a country we all look for the best way to deal with this, it is trial and error, the doctor indicated.

“We have no indication that the number of infections in Curaçao is now increasing. A large group is training health care professionals to take tests because there is a chance that the virus will come back. We are now prepared, but keep in mind that the virus may return to the island. We think it's under control now, hence today's easing.”

“Our medical care must be restored to relieve people. Consultations are being held with the CMC (Curaçao hospital) to restart this. We hope that the outpatient clinics can open again on Monday and that care will start again for 50 percent. This percentage is built up slowly, care is resumed step by step. This also depends on the materials available, as not all of them are in stock due to the corona crisis. Psychologists and physiotherapists must also be able to report as soon as possible because this has a major effect on society.”

Finally, the doctor indicated that when the hospitals reopen this must be done in a different way, the social distancing still applies. This means that patients cannot just go to the doctor, they must call first or through digital contact.