3 new confirmed COVID-19 cases

PHILIPSBURG -- As of October 17th, there were three (3) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however there was a recovery of five (5) persons; bringing the total active cases to sixty- three (63). The total number of confirmed cases is now seven hundred and forty- nine (749). The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) are monitoring fifty- six (56) people in home isolation. Seven (7) patients are hospitalized at the St. Maarten Medical Center, and the total number of deaths due to COVID-19 remains at twenty- two (22). The number of people recovered since the first case surfaced on St. Maarten has increased to six hundred and sixty- four (664). Seventy- seven (77) people are in quarantine based on contact tracing investigations carried out by CPS of persons who may have been in contact with any of the active cases. CPS has tested 1144 travelers arriving at the Princess Juliana International Airport, (PJIA) and 4757 people throughout the community. As the numbers continue to fluctuate, CPS will continue to actively execute its contact tracing measures. As we continue to work towards reducing the curve, Minister Panneflek advises all to continue and wear your masks, practice the 2-meters social distancing, sanitize and wash your hands frequently and refrain from mass gatherings. Source: sintmaartengov.org