COVID-19 pandemic in Bonaire

COVID-19 pandemic in Bonaire
Disease	COVID-19
Virus strain	SARS-CoV-2
Location	Bonaire
Arrival date	16 April 2020 (4 years, 8 months and 2 weeks)
Confirmed cases	1,427[1]
Active cases	247
Recovered	1,168
Deaths	12
Government website
https://bonairegov.com

The COVID-19 pandemic in Bonaire was part of the ongoing global viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was confirmed to have reached the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire on 16 April 2020. On 28 April, all cases recovered.^[2] On 14 July, two new cases were discovered.^[3] On 13 August, all cases recovered.^[1]

Background

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, Hubei, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.^[4][5]

The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003,^[6][7] but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.^[8][6]

Bonaire is only a small island with a population of 20,915 people,^[9] and testing for COVID-19 is in limited supply. They have both PCR and antigen testing.^[10]

Timeline

COVID-19 cases in Bonaire  (

• v
• t
• e

)
     Deaths        Recoveries        Active cases

AprAprMayMayJunJunJulJulAugAug

Last 15 daysLast 15 days

Date			# of cases
2020-04-16			1(n.a.)
⋮			1(=)
2020-04-20			2(+100%)
⋮			2(=)
2020-04-28			2(=)
⋮			2(=)
2020-07-14			4(+100%)
2020-07-15			4(=)
2020-07-16			5(+25%)
⋮			5(=)
2020-08-13			5(=)
Data sourced from arubacovid19.org

Cases

Deaths

March 2020

On 14 March,^[11] Bonaire closed to international travel, and cruise ships were also banned.^[12][13] Outbound and local travel between the ABC Islands was allowed.^[11] Curaçao cancelled all travel except for local residents, freight and medical specialists as from 16 March.^[14]

On 25 March, eight medical specialists from the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam were sent to the hospital on Bonaire and two air ambulances have been sent.^[15]

April 2020

On 5 April, the schools in Bonaire have been closed. There were still some students doing their exams who still had to perform a verbal examination. Those examinations will continue in groups of 10.^[16]

As of 7 April, 26 tests had been performed which were all negative.^[17] The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands stated that the six islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint-Eustatius, Sint Maarten) closely cooperate to ensure essential health care and that the Dutch government is negotiating with Colombia for specialized care.^[18]

On 10 April, respirators, medicine and protective equipment were flown to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao by the Dutch government. The shipment will contain 6 ICU beds for Bonaire.^[19] The current ICU capacity at Hospital San Francisco is 15 beds.^[20]

Karel Doorman (2020-04-09)

On 13 April, Zr. Ms. Karel Doorman was dispatched from Den Helder to assist with food aid, border control and public order. A coordination point in Martinique was setup to coordinate the border controls of the Dutch Caribbean, France and United Kingdom.^[21]

On 14 April, the first group of the 250 inhabitants of Bonaire who were stranded abroad were to be repatriated.^[17]

On 16 April, Edison Rijna, Island Governor of Bonaire announced the first case of COVID-19 on the island. The patient who had mild symptoms was tested several times and the result was inconclusive. The patient had visited Aruba several weeks before.^[22]

On 17 April, the first two airplanes with repatriates arrived in Bonaire. Quite a number of people including Rijna watched the arrival also because it was the first time^[23] a large Boeing 777 landed on Flamingo International Airport.^[24] The repatriates will be quarantined for 14 days.^[23]

On 20 April, a second case was announced. The patient had been in contact with the first case who has already recovered.^[25]

On 21 April, the College Financieel Toezicht Bonaire (supervisory financial authority) blocked the attempt of the Public Body of Bonaire to insert $6.3 million into the budget.^[26]

On 22 April, a semi-permanent field hospital has arrived in Sint Eustatius, and will be used for COVID-19 patients in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. The field hospital consists of six ICU beds and is expected be operational on 15 May.^[27]

On 25 April, the Press has been invited to be present at the Island Policy Team (EBT) which has been setup to manage the crisis. The ETB consists of the Island Governor, a delegation of the blue team (police), white team (health care), red team (fire department) and orange team (civil service).^[28]
In order to alleviate the economic hardship, the fixed tariff for electricity and water will be set to zero, and the price of internet will be set to $25.- from 1 May until the end of the year. The island will also receive €200,000 food aid.^[29]

On 28 April, the last active person recovered. Bonaire currently has no active cases.^[2]
The US Consulate has arranged for a repatriation flight on 10 May for American citizens stranded on Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. The plane will leave from Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba and proceed to Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale.^[30]
Governor Edison Rijna announced that the current measures will be mitigated including school closure in a gradual fashion, but the borders will remain closed. The details will be announced on 8 May. Rijna stresses that the people should abide to social distancing and not gather in big groups. 230 people have been tested up to now.^[31][32] On 4 May it was announced that there will be a deconfinement from 6 May onwards.^[33]

May 2020

On 1 May, 24 residents were repatriated from Curaçao and Colombia. They were quarantined on arrival. Governor Rijna is working on repatriation of the residents stranded in the United States and there is a new group in the Netherlands.^[34]

On 8 May, it was announced that residents stranded on Curaçao, Saba and St. Eustatius can return home, however they need the Governor's permission and need to quarantine for 14 days.^[35]

July 2020

On 14 July, two repatriates to Bonaire tested positive for COVID-19. Both persons were in quarantine.^[3] Both had come from Peru.^[36]

On 16 July, a family member of the aforementioned two cases tested positive for COVID-19.^[36]

On 30 July, the airport will be allowing planes from other Caribbean islands with a high prevalence of COVID-19 to shelter from the expected weather. Only the crew will be allowed on the plane, and have to go into mandatory quarantine at their own expense. Five planes from Puerto Rico are expected in the coming days.^[37]

August 2020

On 13 August, all cases recovered.^[1]

January 2021

The travel ban to North America was allowed to expire on January 15 the with flights beginning in early to mid February. All travelers are required to enter with a negative PCR test and a completed health screening.^[38]

Preventive measures

• Coming from the airport or port, passengers have to observe a 14-day quarantine after entering the island.^[39]
• Schools were closed until May 11.^[40]
• Social distancing is enforced.^[41]
• No lockdown has been instituted.^[41]
• From 6 May onwards: gatherings with more than 50 people are still prohibited. Swimming, religious services, restaurants, bars and the casino are allowed again providing people obey to social distancing guidelines, and not allow more than 50 people on the premises.^[33] Sex clubs, nightclubs, spas, and saunas will remain closed.^[42]

See also

• COVID-19 pandemic in Aruba
• COVID-19 pandemic in Curaçao

References

1. "Gezaghebber waarschuwt voor veslapping in corona preventie". Bonaire.nu (in Dutch). 13 August 2020. Archived from the original on 3 September 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
2. "Current figures coronavirus Bonaire". BES-reporter. Archived from the original on 3 May 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
3. "A tèst dos repatriante positivamente pa COVID-19 - Twee repatrianten positief getest op COVID-19". Government of Bonaire. Archived from the original on 14 July 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
4. Elsevier. "Novel Coronavirus Information Center". Elsevier Connect. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
5. 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.
6. "Crunching the numbers for coronavirus". Imperial News. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
7. "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.
8. "World Federation Of Societies of Anaesthesiologists – Coronavirus". www.wfsahq.org. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
9. "Caribisch Nederland; bevolking; geslacht, leeftijd, burgerlijke staat". Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 28 May 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
10. "COVID-19 PCR and Antigen Rapid Testing on Bonaire". Bon Bida Bonaire Resort. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
11. "Q & A's regarding COVID-19 measures Bonaire". bonairegov.com (in Papiamento and English). Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
12. "FAQs on Bonaire Travel Coronavirus COVID-19". The Bonaire Information Site. 17 March 2020. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
13. "CCOVID-19: Regional Roundup/1 April, 2020; latest global numbers". Dominica News Online. 2 April 2020. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
14. "Corona virus English updates". Government of Curaçao. Archived from the original on 23 April 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
15. "Hospital Bonaire extended with medical specialists and air ambulances". Dolfijn FM (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
16. "Thuisonderwijs op Bonaire extra uitdaging door tekort laptops". Caribisch Netwerk NTR (in Dutch). 17 April 2020. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
17. "Update COVID 19 Coronavirus and Bonaire". The Bonaire Information Site. 8 April 2020. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
18. "Maatregelen Caribische delen van het Koninkrijk i.v.m. Covid-19 en beantwoording van een deel van de vragen commissie over de effecten corona op Caribische delen van het Koninkrijk" (PDF). Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands (in Dutch). Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 July 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
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20. "15 beademingsplekken op Bonaire". curacao.nu (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 28 April 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
21. "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.
22. "Update on Coronavirus (COVID-19) by Bonaire's Lt. Governor InfoBonaire". The Bonaire Information Site. 16 April 2020. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
23. "Twee repatriëringsvluchten onderweg naar Bonaire". Bonaire.nu (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 11 May 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
24. "Gezaghebber verwelkomt ingezetenen op de eerste repatriëringsvlucht". Bonaire.nu (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
25. "Het coronavirus is nu definitief aanwezig op Bonaire". Koninkrijk.nu. 21 April 2020. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
26. "Cft haalt streep door noodpakket bestuur Bonaire". Koninkrijk.nu (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 8 July 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
27. "Hospitainer for Statia to be functional on May 15". The Daily Herald.sx. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
28. "Pers mag kijkje nemen bij 'crisisteam' Bonaire". Koninkrijk.nu (in Dutch). 25 April 2020. Archived from the original on 28 April 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
29. "Reduction in ferry, electricity, Internet prices in Saba, Statia". The Daily Herald.sx. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
30. "Repatriation Humanitarian Flight for U.S. Citizens in Bonaire". Info Bonaire. Archived from the original on 12 May 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
31. "Speech Island Governor 28-04-2020". Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland (Press release). Archived from the original on 4 May 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
32. "Konferensha di prensa Persconferentie - Coronavirus - Bonaire 28-04-2020". RCN Communication via Youtube (in Papiamento). Archived from the original on 2 September 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
33. "Toespraak 1 mei technisch voorzitter van het EBT Curvin George". Government of Bonaire via Facebook (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
34. "24 Residents brought back from Colombia and Curaçao". BES-reporter. Retrieved 3 May 2020.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
35. "Returning to Bonaire from other islands now possible". BES Reporter. Retrieved 9 May 2020.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
36. "New cases in Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire". The Daily Herald.sx. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
37. "Boneiru ta risibí avion di paisnan pafó di 'air-bubble'". Government of Bonaire (in Papiamento and Dutch). Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
38. "Bonaire Reopens to Flights from North America". 16 January 2021. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
39. "A fiha Ordenansa di Emergensia 14-7-2020 maneho entrada na Boneiru - Noodverordening 14-7-2020 in-reisbeleid Bonaire vastgesteld". Government of Bonaire (in Papiamento). Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
40. "Scolnan basico y secundario na Bonaire ta habri dia 11 di mei awor". NoticiaCla (in Papiamento). Archived from the original on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
41. "First infection on Bonaire – no lockdown". Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland. 16 April 2020. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
42. "Corona Smart: maximum of 50 people, for adults both social distancing and hygiene important". Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland. 6 May 2020. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.

External links

• COVID-19 @ Caribbean Netherlands
• Info Bonaire
• Dashboard Caribbean