COVID-19 pandemic in Saba

The COVID-19 pandemic in Saba is part of the ongoing global viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was confirmed to have reached the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba on April 12, 2020. At the beginning of the pandemic, the island had a population of just over 1,900 people.[2] As of 12 May, all cases were reported to have recovered.[3] On 1 August, two new cases were imported[4] which resolved on 9 September.[5]

For the COVID-19 pandemic in the Malaysian state of Sabah, see COVID-19 pandemic in Sabah.

COVID-19 pandemic in Saba
DiseaseCOVID-19
Virus strainSARS-CoV-2
LocationSaba
Index caseThe Bottom
Arrival date12 April 2020
(3 years, 6 months and 1 day)
Confirmed cases741[1]
Recovered739
Deaths
0
Government website
COVID-19 monthly epidemiological update for the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment of the Netherlands - RIVM

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 City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.[6][7]

The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003,[8][9] but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.[10][8]

Saba is in a difficult position given its tiny population. Saba's medical facilities can only care for eight people[11] and operations have to be performed on the island of Sint Maarten. For emergencies there is a trauma helicopter available from Sint-Eustatius,[12] however normally it involves a one and a half hour boat journey.[13]

Testing for COVID-19 was originally performed in Sint Maarten, with tests for people without symptoms forwarded to Guadelope.[14] Both rt-PCR based and rapid antigen tests became available on Saba in 2021 through a centralized testing facility which ran from May 2021 until its closure in July 2022.[15]

Timeline
Cases
Cases
Deaths
Deaths

March 2020

On 19 March, Saba took precautionary measures by closing the harbor, airport, and schools.[16] Governor Johnson took the measures because of the vulnerable position of the island and the limited medical care. The Saba University School of Medicine ceased classroom activities and switched to online lectures. Some students returned home, but others remained on the island.[17]

April 2020

On 7 April, three people self-quarantined and 18 tests had been performed which were all negative.[18]

On 12 April, the first case was confirmed.[19] The patient had mild symptoms. The origin is unknown, because the patient had not traveled and therefore must have been infected locally. One of the people the patient had been in contact had pneumonia.[20] Governor Jonathan Johnson has ordered a lockdown.[20]

As of 13 April, two cases had tested positive. 22 people had been tested, of which 18 were negative with two still pending. 70 people were under quarantine.[18]

On 17 April, it was announced that a curfew would be in effect between 19:00 and 06:00. 44 people had been tested to this point and 17 tests were still pending.[18]

On 22 April, a semi-permanent field hospital arrived in Sint Eustatius, to be used for COVID-19 patients in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. The field hospital consists of six ICU beds and was expected be operational on 15 May.[21]

As of 23 April, 73 people had been tested; 41 tests remained pending. 63 people had been quarantined.[22]

On 25 April, it was announced that in order to alleviate the economic hardship, the fixed tariff for electricity and water would be set to zero, and that the price of internet would be set at $25 from 1 May through the end of the year. The island will also receive €150,000 of food aid.[23]

May 2020

On 6 May, there was to be a repatriation flight to the Netherlands in Sint Maarten. Saba could not guarantee flights this month, and urged all stranded from the Netherlands or Europe to use this flight.[24]
The first recovery was announced.[25]

On 8 May, Governor Jonathan Johnson announced that from 9 May midnight onward, the stay at home measure would be lifted. Social distancing and prohibition of gatherings would remain. Churches and restaurant may reopen while adhering to hygiene measures. All services and business would be allowed to reopen beginning Monday 11 May.[26] The schools will reopen on 18 May.[27]

On 12 May, all cases recovered.[3] Unrelatedly, Governor Jonathan Johnson was reappointed for his third term.[28] To give recognition to the nurses and everybody involved, the church bells rang on noon.[29]

On 22 May, Governor Jonathan Johnson reported that the person who had been in contact with the first diagnosed case from 12 April, and who had pneumonia, did in fact have COVID-19. She tested negative on the tests, but the results of her blood test showed that she had been infected. The number of cases was therefore been increased to three.[30]

August 2020

On 1 August, two new cases were imported. The persons went into quarantine upon arrival.[4]

September 2020

As of 9 September, all patients had recovered, and Saba no longer has active cases.[5]

January 2021

In January 2021, the Dutch government announced plans to provide mRNA vaccinations for all adults over the age of 18, with quantity of vaccine doses shipped to be based on numbers of Saba residents who registered their interest in vaccination.[31] Enough people registered that sufficient doses were shipped to cover the entire adult population. [32]

February 2021

At the end of February 2021, vaccination with the Moderna mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV2 was started. [33] By the end of February 2021, over 85% of the adult population and 70% of the total population had received their first vaccination against SARS-CoV2.[34]

March 2021

By the end of March 2021, over 85% of the adult population was fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV2, having received both shots in the Moderna series.[35]

See also

References
  1. Epidemiological report of SARS-CoV-2 on the Dutch Caribbean CAS- and BES-islands: January 2023 (week 1-4) National Institute for Public Health and the Environment of the Netherlands
  2. "Trends in the Caribbean Netherlands 2020;". Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  3. "COVID-19 Update May 12th 2020". The Official Website of The Island Government of Saba. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  4. "Saba registers two new cases". BES Reporter. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  5. "COVID 19 Update September 9, 2020". Government of Saba via Facebook. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  6. Elsevier. "Novel Coronavirus Information Center". Elsevier Connect. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  7. 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.
  8. "Crunching the numbers for coronavirus". Imperial News. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  9. "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.
  10. "World Federation Of Societies of Anaesthesiologists – Coronavirus". www.wfsahq.org. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  11. "Practical Information". Saba Health Care. Archived from the original on 8 February 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  12. "Saba locked down. We are vulnerable and limited". Caribisch Netwerk NTR (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  13. "Medical Emergency". Saba Health Care. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  14. "Thursday, April 16: Island Governor Jonathan Johnson updates on Covid-19 status (audio message)". Saba News. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  15. "Saba's Public Health centralized Covid-19 Testing Center will close". Public Entity Saba official via Facebook. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  16. "Saba closes non-essential businesses due to novel coronavirus". Loop News Barbados. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  17. "COVID-19 Update". Saba University School of Medicine. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  18. "Latest News". The Official Website of The Island Government of Saba. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  19. "Saba first new confirmed case". Masnotica. 12 April 2020.
  20. "Coronavirus now also on Saba Fear for more cases". Caribisch Netwerk NTR (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  21. "Hospitainer for Statia to be functional on May 15". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  22. "Thursday, April 23: Status Covid-19 update & Address Island Governor Jonathan Johnson". Saba News. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  23. "Reduction in ferry, electricity, Internet prices in Saba, Statia". The Daily Herald.sx. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  24. "Last KLM flight from St. Maarten to Amsterdam on Wednesday, May 6th". Saba News. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  25. "Wednesday, May 6th: Address Island Governor Jonathan Johnson – One Covid-19 patient recovered". Saba News. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  26. "Thursday, May 7th: Address Island Governor Jonathan Johnson – End of 'Stay at Home'". Saba News. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  27. "Friday, May 8th: Address Island Governor Jonathan Johnson". Saba News. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  28. "Reappointment Island Governor Saba". The Official Website of The Island Government of Saba via Facebook. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  29. "Church bells will be ringing for essential workers in Saba". Saba News. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  30. "Friday, May 22nd: Address Island Governor Jonathan Johnson – ' 3 positive, 0 active'". Audio message via Saba-News. 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  31. "Saba News, "Vaccination forms are available now for registration," 21 January 2021". 21 January 2021.
  32. "Saba News, "Successful start vaccinations on Saba," 22 February 2021". 22 February 2021.
  33. "Saba News, "Vaccines arrive today, Friday, February 19, vaccination starts Monday," 19 February 2021". 19 February 2021.
  34. "Saba News, "First vaccination round closed off—more than 85% of adults vaccinated ," 2 March 2021". 2 March 2021.
  35. "Saba News, "Saba completes second vaccination round successful ," 1 April 2021". April 2021.
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