SAINT-MARTIN (MARIGOT) – The Prefecture of Saint-Martin and Saint-Barths issued a press statement on Sunday afternoon stating that border controls will be maintained due to an upsurge in activity on the French side; one new confirmed case who has been hospitalized in Guadeloupe and two probable cases, bringing the total number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases to 40.
Contact tracing is currently underway by the French health authorities related to the new positive COVID-19 case. In addition, on Saturday night, the L.C. Fleming Hospital in Marigot received a patient from the Dutch side of the island who was in isolation at home on the Dutch side. This person is being taken care of for another health-related problem.
The two probable cases have been hospitalized in the COVID-19 section of the L.C. Fleming Hospital awaiting test results with respect to their status.
The Prefecture calls for continued vigilance in order to avoid an outbreak, adding that the new case demonstrates that a heightened level of hygiene must be maintained at all times.
The public health authorities of Saint-Martin are still awaiting the results of the community outreach that took place from May 4-18 throughout a number of districts on the French side.
Border controls by French Immigration officials and Gendarmes will continue at the two border control points, namely, Bellevue and French Quarter. The borders crossings in Oyster Pond and Lowlands according to the Prefecture will remain closed into the territory of French Saint-Martin, the statement says based on a translated version.
The Prefecture stressed that the health of the people of Saint-Martin is the only argument that must guide decision-making when it concerns cross-border movement, and that this has been the primary reason for closing of the border between both sides of the island.
Therefore, the Prefecture has decided to maintain the border control into French Saint-Martin whereby residents of Sint Maarten who need to go to the French side will have to continue to present a travel certificate issued by the Prefecture that justifies the reason to be on Saint-Martin.
Source: Souliga Newsday https://www.soualiganewsday.com/index.php?option=com-k2&view=item&id=31536:french-side-covid-19-positive-cases-increase-by-one-and-two-probable-cases-hospitalized&Itemid=451
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