More than one thousand COVID-19 cases in Suriname

Health officials on Saturday afternoon confirmed that there are more than one thousand confirmed COVID19 cases in Suriname. On Sunday the official website indicated that there are 371 active cases and that COVID19 has claimed 21 lives in Suriname. 610 people have been cured while 5 are recovering at the intensive care unit (ICU). 240 people are in quarantine. “Most of the new cases that were reported last week come from the south eastern part of the country. There has been a huge spike in the Marowijne District and in particular in Albina, Moengo and in the villages located in the eastern part of Suriname and especially in the Tapanahony region. A number of new cases have also been reported in Paramaribo and in particular in south Paramaribo,” said epidemiologist Radjesh Ori on Friday. Infectiologist Stephen Vreden explained that the increase in the number of cases is the result of the fact that a growing number of people are being tested. “This is a good development because then we would not have detected these cases and it is good to put the people who are carrying the virus in isolation in order to stop it from spreading any further,” said Vreden who added that only the people can stop the virus from spreading. “The government, epidemiologists or infectiologists can’t stop the spread because only the people can do that by sticking to the preventative measures such as washing their hands and covering their mouths and noses with a face mask. “This is something that people must start to realize.” The new minister of Health, Amar Ramadhin, has announced that the official number of COVID19 will only be changed once every day. According to the minister, the number will be adjusted at 8 pm every day. A situation report of the epidemiologists will also be posted on the official website so that everybody can stay uptodate. “For now the measures will remain in effect and President Chandrikapersad Santokhi will talk about the policy on COVID19 in a speech on TV,” said Health Minister Ramadhin before assuring the nation that officials would keep on tackling the COVID19 issue. He explained that the focus would mainly be put on raising awareness about the dangers of the highly contagious virus.