Suriname now has 18 active COVID-19 cases

Suriname’s COVID-19 status is now listed as Code Red as health officials say there is local contamination and the source of infection is unknown.

The country experienced an increase in its number of COVID-19 cases over the past week which moved from 10 positive to 28 confirmed cases.

Suriname up to one week ago had no active virus cases and has started all over again with 18.

In an emergency conference of the National COVID-19 Management Team on May 31, officials said Albina, an eastern town in Suriname, is now characterised as a red zone due to the high risk of contamination in this area.

A team from the Ministry of Health was sent to Albina to make a situation analysis.

Dr Cleopatra Jessurun, Director of the Ministry of Health said: “ There is now a local spread. An infected person who is not asymptomatic now could walk around anywhere. I think people don't get the gist of what we're in now. We are in Code Red. COVID-19 can be anywhere in the country ”.

The director said that the non-observance of the COVID-19 measures in recent days contributed to Suriname reaching this dreaded moment, which was warned about for weeks.

Meanwhile, the Asisikriki area has been closed as a man, who was listed as infected with COVID-19, was present at a small scale gold mining facility for several days.

The Ministry of Health directed a team of experts to the area with helicopters to conduct a full screening there.

Infectiologist Dr Stephen Vreden who spoke on this topic said the team which visited the area on May 29  had seen a number of people with minor complaints but up to May 31 was unable to immediately find a source of infection in Asisikriki.

“It is certainly the intention to prevent people from leaving that area for the time being because there is apparently an outbreak there and to prevent people from going to other places, that area will be closed off,” said Dr Vreden.

He noted that imports of COVID-19 from Brazil are currently mainly taken into account, as a major outbreak is underway in the southern neighbouring country.

From now on, the Ministry of Health is advising citizens who go on the street to wear mouth and nose coverings.