The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) informed Curaçao on Thursday that one infection with the British variant of the corona virus has been registered on the island. Curaçao had sent several tests. It now appears that there is one British variant among the various tests that were carried out between 17 and 26 January. This is the first case for Curaçao.
It turns out to be a resident of Curaçao who has not traveled in the past period. But he has been in contact with someone who recently came from the Netherlands and tested positive for Covid-19.
After it was recently announced that the British variant had been registered in Aruba, Curaçao sent many tests to the RIVM. Sint Maarten has also done that. No new variants have yet been discovered on that island.
The Epidemiological Team on Curaçao has announced that it will continue to conduct further research and will also send more tests to the Netherlands in order to be sure whether there are more infections with the British variant on the island. On Friday afternoon (local time), the government will further inform the population about the developments and it will also become clear that the corona measures need to be tightened up.
Curaçao currently has few new corona infections. However, the measures in force, including a curfew between 11 p.m. and 4:30 a.m., have been extended this week. This was a direct result of the discovery of the British variant in Aruba. Stricter measures were also immediately imposed for travel between Aruba and Curaçao.