WILLEMSTAD - A third person in Curacao has died from the consequences of the corona virus. Dr Izzy Gerstenbluth just announced this at the press conference. In total, 79 people on Curacao have tested positive for the virus today. That is a new record. At 23 the source of contamination is known, at the other 56 research is still being done by means of "contact tracing". Fifteen people have been declared cured. In total, the corona counter stands at 590 active infections.

Halloween

According to police spokesman Imro Zwerwer, the high number of infections is probably the result of Halloween parties and gatherings in the catering industry. Doctor Izzy Gerstenbluth expects the number to rise even further in the coming days, because many people who are now found to be infected have been in contact with others in recent days.

Stricter measures

Since this week, Curacao has again had stricter corona measures, such as a curfew from 9 pm to 4.30 am. Parties are also prohibited, the catering industry must be closed by 8 pm and people are asked to work from home if possible. Many of the people who have now tested positive have probably already been infected before the intensification of the measures.

In the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament, Prime Minister Rutte said that the travel advice for Curaçao will remain Code Yellow for the time being, because the island has taken good measures to reduce the number of infections again.

Curacao traditionally has a tourist peak around the holidays. The island is doing everything it can to have the number of infections under control before then. Curacao is currently one of the few holiday destinations where the Dutch can go during this period.