9 new confirmed COVID-19 cases

PHILIPSBURG -- As of October 16th, there were nine (9) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however there was a recovery of two (2) persons; bringing the total active cases to sixty-five (65). The total number of confirmed cases is now seven hundred and forty-six (746). The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) are monitoring fifty-two (52) people in home isolation. Eight patients are hospitalized (8) 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 fifty-nine (659). Sixty-nine (69) 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 1132 travelers arriving at the Princess Juliana International Airport, (PJIA) and 4750 people throughout the community. As the numbers continue to fluctuate, CPS will continue to actively execute its contact tracing measures. In efforts to continuously protect yourself and your family, Minister Panneflek urges all to play your part by wearing your masks in public places, practice the 2-meters social distancing, sanitize and wash your hands frequently, and refrain from mass gatherings.