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COVID-19 pandemic in the Collectivity of Saint Martin

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This article is about 2020 viral pandemic in French Saint Martin. For epidemic in Dutch part of the island, see COVID-19 pandemic in Sint Maarten.

COVID-19 pandemic in Saint Martin
DiseaseCOVID-19
Virus strainSARS-CoV-2
LocationSaint Martin
Arrival date1 March 2020
(4 years, 4 months and 4 days)
Confirmed cases12,324[1]
Recovered12,217[2]
Deaths
46[1]
Government website
guadeloupe.ars.sante.fr

The COVID-19 pandemic in French Saint Martin was a part of the ongoing global viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was confirmed to have reached the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin on 1 March 2020. The island is split in a Dutch and French part, with the main airport on the Dutch side and the major harbour on the French side. The first positive test was a French couple from Saint Martin who returned from France via Saint Barthélemy on 1 March 2020. They were screened and tested positive on the airport, but are counted on the French count.[3] The island had a population of 35,334 in 2017.[4]

Background[edit]

On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.[5][6]

The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003,[7][8] but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.[9][7]

Timeline[edit]

COVID-19 cases in French Saint Martin  (
)
     Deaths        Recoveries        Active cases
202020212022
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNov
Last 15 days
Date
# of cases
# of deaths
⋮
2022-11-15
12,034(n.a.) 63(n.a.)
Cases
Cases
Deaths
Deaths

March 2020[edit]

On 1 March, a couple from the French part of Saint Martin island were diagnosed with COVID-19. Their son, who lives on the neighbouring island of Saint Barthélemy, also tested positive.[63]

On 17 March, the following measures were announced by the President Macron: It is prohibited to leave the house except for essential journeys, all restaurants and bars have to close, all schools have to close, and all gatherings are banned.[64] Prefect Sylvie Feucher has adopted the same measures on Saint Martin.[65]

On 18 March, a fourth case was announced. The patient had returned from a trip to Paris.[66]

Non-residents can no longer enter the island via the airport. After 22 March, nobody is allowed to enter the island.[67]

On 23 March, ARS announced that the ICU capacity in Guadeloupe had been increased to 33 beds.[68] Specialized care has to be performed in Guadeloupe.

On 24 March, the confinement orders have been strengthened: people may only leave their house for essential travel; markets are closed; gatherings are forbidden; non-essential businesses should close.[69]

On 26 March, The collectivity's first death was recorded, after a 61-year-old died from breathing complications following a car accident. The patient tested positive for COVID-19 the following day.[70] On the same day it was announced that last two cases were locally infected and not imported.[15]

On 27 March, another case had been discovered bringing the total to 13. An American patient has been transferred to Miami.[16]

On 28 March, a support package for businesses was announced.[71]

On 29 March, the border between the Dutch and French side was closed, and is jointly patrolled with the Sint Maarten government.[72] On 6 April, the minor roads were physically blocked to prevent crossings.[73] The border had been open since the Treaty of Concordia of 1648.[74]

On 30 March, the second death was announced. It concerned an 80-year-old man.[11]

April 2020[edit]

On 5 April, two more cases were announced bringing the total active cases to 19. One of the cases is an inhabitant of Sandy Ground who was evacuated to Guadeloupe. Prefect Sylvie Feucher has ordered 16 more gendarmes.[23]

On 9 April, the Préfecture asked people to stay at home during Easter. Unlike the Dutch side and other islands no curfew will be instituted, but anybody discovered outside without reason will be fined.[75]

On 12 April, the 33rd Marine Infantry Regiment arrived in Marigot to provide logical support.[76] A coordination point in Martinique was setup to coordinate the border controls of the Dutch Caribbean, France and United Kingdom.[77]

On 19 April, Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs of Sint Maarten announced that the recent death was a Dutch citizen who was being treated on the French side. Last week he was flown to Guadelope for critical care, however as a Dutch citizen he will be removed from the French Saint Martin count and added to the Dutch Sint Maarten count.[78]

On 21 April, President Daniel Gibbs said that he does not expect the schools to open on 11 May as announced by Macron: "We will not put our children, the educational community and all families of this island in danger because of hasty decisions."[79]

On 23 April, the third death was announced. The deceased was a 76-year-old man.[80]

On 24 April, Air Caraïbes announced that flights between Saint Martin (Grand Case-Espérance Airport not Princess Juliana International Airport), Saint Barthélemy, and Gaudeloupe will be resuming as of today.[81]
The Préfecture disclosed that 400 tourists have been repatriated up to now. There are still about 50 people stranded, but only those with an urgent reason will be repatriated.[82]

On 30 April, the Collectivity will purchase two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening machines and two ventilators for the Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital. Up to now 200 tests have been forwarded to the Pasteur Institute in Guadeloupe.[83]

May 2020[edit]

On 2 May, President Daniel Gibbs informed President Macron that he requested that restaurants, bars and shops would reopen. Macron hinted that it was possible under certain conditions. Gibbs still has concerns about school reopening on Saint Martin. No definite decision has been taken yet.[84]

From 4 May onwards, the Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital together with the Red Cross will start screening and testing the population starting with the French Quarter, Sandy Ground and St. James.[85]

President Daniel Gibbs announced that the beaches will reopen on 8 May. The rules concerning reopening of businesses, shops and restaurant are being discussed, but there will be a deconfinement on 11 May.[86]

President Daniel Gibbs announced in a press conference that the Collectivity will start to reopen on 11 May. There are still negotiations with the French government, and the Collectivity maintains their position on school reopening. An additional support program has been announced, and further support is under discussion.[87]

On 7 May, it was announced that some primary schools will reopen on 18 May.[88]

Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs of the Dutch side announced that the Dutch side wants to reopen the borders on 18 May. President Daniel Gibbs of the French side wanted a reopening as well, however Prefect Sylvie Feucher wanted to keep the borders closed for now. It is now up to the French government to decide whether the internal borders will reopen.[89] The internal border will reopen on 2 June.[90]

July 2020[edit]

On 30 July 2020, Ludmila de Weever, minister of Tourism of Dutch Sint Maarten, announced that the border opening for passengers from the United States is still 1 August as scheduled.[91] This has resulted in a response by Sylvie Feucher, Préfète Délguée of French Saint Martin who announced that Americans are not allowed on their side of the island, and the French-Dutch border will be closed to prevent circulation of the virus.[92]

Preventive measures[edit]

  • Airport and ports are closed.[67][64] Local flights have resumed on Grand Case.[81]
  • The border between the Dutch and French side is closed.[72] The internal border will reopen on 2 June.[90]
  • All restaurants and bars are closed, all schools are closed, and all gatherings are banned.[64] Measures have been revoked.[86] Bars can reopen from 30 May onwards.[93]
  • All non-essential businesses are closed.[69] Measures have been revoked.[86]
  • It is prohibited to leave the house except for essential journeys.[64] Measures have been revoked.[86]
  • Beaches will reopen on 8 May.[86]
  • Deconfinement will start on 11 May.[86]

Statistics[edit]

Chronology of the number of active cases

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ The Daily Herald reports 19 active cases,[23] however the number of active cases on 5 April is 18 according to Outre-mer la 1ère.[11]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Ritchie, Hannah; Mathieu, Edouard; Rodés-Guirao, Lucas; Appel, Cameron; Giattino, Charlie; Ortiz-Ospina, Esteban; Hasell, Joe; Macdonald, Bobbie; Beltekian, Diana; Dattani, Saloni; Roser, Max (2020–2022). "Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19)". Our World in Data. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  2. ^ "COVID - Coronavirus Statistics - Worldometer". Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  3. ^ "St. Martin News Network – State of Affairs on St. Maarten regarding the COVID-19". smn-news.com. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  4. ^ "Populations légales des collectivités d'outre-mer en 2017". INSEE (in French). Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  5. ^ Elsevier. "Novel Coronavirus Information Center". Elsevier Connect. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  6. ^ Reynolds, Matt (4 March 2020). "What is coronavirus and how close is it to becoming a pandemic?". Wired UK. ISSN 1357-0978. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b "Crunching the numbers for coronavirus". Imperial News. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  8. ^ "High consequence infectious diseases (HCID); Guidance and information about high consequence infectious diseases and their management in England". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  9. ^ "World Federation Of Societies of Anaesthesiologists – Coronavirus". www.wfsahq.org. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  10. ^ "Coronavirus : premiers cas confirmés en Outre-mer, à Saint-Martin et Saint-Barth". Polynésie la 1ère (in French). Archived from the original on 2 March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i "Coronovirus Nombre de cas confirmés en Outre-mer". Outre-mer la 1ère (in French). Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  12. ^ "CORONAVIRUS : Saint-Martin, où 2 patients sont hospitalisés, à l'heure du confinement". Guadeloupe la 1ère. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  13. ^ "One new case in St. Martin as of Saturday, ARS confirms". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  14. ^ "Coronavirus : Près de 650 cas confirmés recensés dans la grande région Caraïbe". Guadeloupe la 1ère. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b "Update new Covid-19 case on Thursday ARS confirms". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b "COVID-19 cases on French side up to 11 as of Friday". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  17. ^ "Deux cas supplémentaires de Covid-19 dans les îles du Nord, 20 en tout". Guadeloupe la 1ère. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  18. ^ "St. Martin records a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases, and first death". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  19. ^ "ARS announces second death from COVID-19 in St. Martin". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
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  21. ^ "Coronavirus : l'épidémie poursuit sa progression à Saint-Martin". Guadeloupe la 1ère. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
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  23. ^ Jump up to: a b "COVID-19 active cases rise to 19 as Gendarme reinforcements arrive". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  24. ^ "Coronavirus : 1 cas de plus à Saint-Martin porte à 33 le nombre total de cas dans l'île". Guadeloupe la 1ère (in French). Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  25. ^ "Coronavirus : toujours 33 cas confirmés à Saint-Martin mais une hospitalisation supplémentaire". Guadeloupe la 1ère (in French). Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  26. ^ "Coronavirus : 1 cas de plus à Saint-Martin porte à 34 le nombre total de cas confirmés". Guadeloupe la 1ère (in French). Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  27. ^ "Coronavirus : 1 cas de plus à Saint-Martin porte à 35 le nombre total de cas confirmés". Guadeloupe la 1ère (in French). Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  28. ^ Jump up to: a b "Coronavirus : informations et recommandations". gaudeloupe.ars.sante.fr (in French). Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  29. ^ "Bulletin n°49 Information « coronavirus » Point de situation au 22 avril 2020" (PDF) (in French). Government of Saint Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  30. ^ "Bulletin n°50 Information « coronavirus » Point de situation au 23 avril 2020" (PDF) (in French). Government of Saint Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  31. ^ "Point de situation au lundi 27 avril dans les îles de SaintBarthélemy et SaintMartin". ARS Gaudeloupe via Facebook (in French). Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  32. ^ "Coronavirus : Deux nouveaux cas portent à 151 le nombre de cas confirmés par test PCR en Guadeloupe". Guadeloupe la 1ère (in French). Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  33. ^ "Active cases drop down to four on French side". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  34. ^ "Bulletin n°58 Information « coronavirus » Point de situation au 1er mai 2020". ARS Guadeloupe via Facebook. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  35. ^ "Bulletin n°59 Information « coronavirus » Point de situation au 2 mai 2020". ARS Guadeloupe via Facebook. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  36. ^ "Point de situation au dimanche 3 mai dans les îles de #SaintBarthélemy et #SaintMartin". ARS Guadeloupe via Facebook. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  37. ^ "Point de situation au dimanche 4 mai dans les îles de #SaintBarthélemy et #SaintMartin". ARS Guadeloupe via Facebook. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  38. ^ "Coronavirus : un nouveau décès et toujours 152 cas confirmés par test PCR en Guadeloupe". Gaudeloupe la 1ère (in French). Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  39. ^ "Coronavirus : un nouveau cas porte à 153 le nombre de cas confirmés par test PCR en Guadeloupe". Gaudeloupe la 1ère (in French). Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  40. ^ "Point de situation au 8 mai 2020". ARS Guadeloupe via Facebook. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  41. ^ "Bulletin n°66 Information « coronavirus » Point de situation au 9 mai 20" (PDF). guadeloupe.ars.sante.fr. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  42. ^ "Point de situation au 10 mai 2020". ARS Guadeloupe via Facebook. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  43. ^ "Bulletin n°68 Information « coronavirus » Point de situation au 11 mai 2020" (PDF). guadeloupe.ars.sante.fr. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  44. ^ "Coronavirus : un nouveau cas importé placé en quatorzaine porte à 155 le nombre total en Guadeloupe". Gaudeloupe la 1ère (in French). Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  45. ^ "Un nouveau cas à Saint- Martin avec 40 cas cumulés de coronavirus confirmés par test PCR et 33 personnes déclarées guéries par les infectiologues". Gaudeloupe la 1ère (in French). Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  46. ^ "22052020 iles du nord point de situation Coronavirus" (PDF). guadeloupe.ars.sante.fr (in French). Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  47. ^ Jump up to: a b "Bulletin n°66 Information « coronavirus » Point de situation du 23 mai au 29 mai" (PDF) (in French). Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  48. ^ "One new COVID-19 case reported on French side". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  49. ^ "One new COVID-19 case reported by ARS". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  50. ^ "2 passagers arrivés en Guadeloupe par avion sont les nouveaux cas recensés dans le département". Guadeloupe la 1ère (in French). Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  51. ^ "Three new COVID-19 cases on French side, one in St. Barths". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  52. ^ "French side: Active COVID cases up to seven, ARS reports". Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  53. ^ "French St. Martin active cases now 16 after nine new cases reported". Saba News. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  54. ^ "ARS update declares 29 active COVID-19 cases in St. Martin". The Daily Heralds.sx.
  55. ^ "Bulletin 11-08". Collectivite de Saint-Martin via Facebook (in French). Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  56. ^ "Active COVID-19 cases on French side up to 54". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  57. ^ "French side: ARS confirms 12 more COVID cases registered on Monday". Saba News. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  58. ^ "Active COVID-19 cases climb to 117 on French St. Martin". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  59. ^ "ARS: 27 recoveries from COVID-19 on French side". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  60. ^ "French side: ARS discloses 1 death, 26 new COVID-19 cases". Saba News. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  61. ^ "43 new COVID-19 cases but recoveries increasing". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  62. ^ "ARS reports active COVID-19 cases in St. Martin down to 85". The Herald Herald,sx. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  63. ^ "Coronavirus : premiers cas confirmés en Outre-mer, à Saint-Martin et Saint-Barth". Polynésie la 1ère (in French). March 2020. Archived from the original on 2 March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  64. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Coronavirus: Spain and France announce sweeping restrictions". BBC News. 15 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  65. ^ "All French-side restaurants, bars and cafés to close for next 15 days". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  66. ^ "COVID-19 cases up to 2 on French side". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  67. ^ Jump up to: a b "Non-residents can't enter St. Maarten". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  68. ^ "ARS ramps up supply of beds, ventilators, for Guadeloupe, St. Martin and St. Barths". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  69. ^ Jump up to: a b "French PM revises confinement measures effective March 24". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  70. ^ "Saint Martin records first coronavirus death". Loop News Barbados. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  71. ^ "French State implements immediate aid measures to support economy, businesses". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  72. ^ Jump up to: a b "Prime Minister & Chair of the EOC Silveria Jacobs Updates on COVID-19 Developments MARCH 29, 2020". Government of St Maarten. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  73. ^ "Barricaded". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  74. ^ Text of the Treaty of Concordia at Wikisource
  75. ^ "Préfecture reminds citizens to stay home on Easter weekend". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  76. ^ "Gibbs welcomes army units from 33rd Marine Infantry Regiment to St. Martin". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  77. ^ "Navy ship Zr Ms Karel Doorman to the Caribbean". The Bonaire Information Site. 10 April 2020. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  78. ^ "Three more positive cases, 1 more COVID-19 death for St. Maarten". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  79. ^ "Collectivité does not envisage opening schools any time soon". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  80. ^ "St. Martin records third death from COVID-19". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  81. ^ Jump up to: a b "Air Caraïbes resuming flights to Guadeloupe as of April 24". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  82. ^ "400 stranded tourists taken into care by the Préfecture". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  83. ^ "Collectivité to purchase PCR screening machines for use by local laboratories". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  84. ^ "Macron: opening restaurants and bars is possible 'under certain conditions'". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  85. ^ "COVID-19 tests to begin May 4 in three districts". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  86. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f "French-side beaches to re-open on May 8". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  87. ^ "Le président Daniel Gibbs et sa première vice-présidente Valérie Damaseau sont intervenus en direct, ce lundi 4 mai 2020 à 16h00, lors du Point COM hebdomadaire de la Collectivité, dans le cadre de la crise de COVID19". The Collectivité de Saint-Martin via Facebook (in French).
  88. ^ "Some primary school classes will re-open on French side May 18". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  89. ^ "Gibbs: 'Ball is now in the court of the French State on border management'". The Daily Herald.sx. 17 May 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  90. ^ Jump up to: a b "St. Maarten: Lifting of French-side border controls to take place June 2". Curaçao Chronicle. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  91. ^ "Reopening to US still on for Aug. 1". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  92. ^ "No US tourists allowed in St. Martin as of August 1". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  93. ^ "Bars on the French side allowed to open today". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
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