On September 2, 2020, a collective bringing together fifteen doctors from Saint-Martin wrote a press release denouncing control of access to French territory. The delegated prefecture (not as wrongly indicated, the sub-prefecture that has no longer existed since 2009) wishes, in connection with the ARS, to provide elements of the response.
It should first be noted that neither the delegated prefecture of Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin nor the prefecture of Guadeloupe has indicated in their respective communications that the Prefecture of the Guadeloupe Region had been contaminated in Saint-Martin. Prefet Alexandre ROCHATTE had carried out a PCR test 72 hours before going to Guadeloupe and then carried out a second test at J+ 7 which proved positive. This is a fact that prevents no other conclusion in the current state of scientific knowledge about COVID 19. It is therefore surprising to find such an assertion in a press release written by doctors.
The inflation of COVID cases for almost 2 months (153 active as of September 4) has greatly impacted the Louis Constant Flemming Hospitalier and the activity of caregivers. 15 patients carrying the virus are hospitalized. In three weeks, three more patients have died of covid-19 bringing the total number to seven since March 1st. A significant part of the beds of the Guadeloupe hospital CPR is occupied by people from Saint Martin, a very abnormal situation given the respective population of the two islands.
Louis Constant Flemming Hospital Centre is in tension in the face of the current wave of contaminations. The activities of the medical unit and surgery unit had to be stopped to increase the COVID unit's capacity (from 8 to 24 beds). This situation is difficult for patients out of COVID.
Hospital staff has been contaminated (11 in total) and 4 cases are still active.
To ensure the resilience of our healthcare system, protective measures are needed to avoid a massive influx of serious COVID cases. Guadeloupe is also placed in the active virus traffic zone. Despite greater means, the CHU is also in a tense situation. Our collective priority must therefore be to reduce the number of contaminations.
Contrary to what is indicated without prior checking by the authors of the forum, people living on the Dutch side have no difficulty in accessing care because they are systematically given permission to pass through.
The delegated prefecture, in connection with the Ministry of Overseas, maintains border control to stem the epidemic and protect our health system. Population brewing is the main vector of virus transmission. The premature reopening of borders would de facto lead to an epidemic recovery annihilating our efforts.
The health fragility of part of our population is another factor to consider. The Prefecture is surprised that some doctors on the island, yet close to patients, are not alarming about a situation they have, at the beginning of the crisis, helped denounce in other articles.
The Prefecture also reminds us that it has always helped healthcare workers, in particular by providing hydroalcoholic gel and visors from the beginning of the crisis. The ARS is, for its part, in constant support to facilitate the screening, traceability, and isolation of people and facilitate patient care.
