Covid surging in Bonaire

[rmorgan]

DustyC, do your observations extend to the situation more than two weeks after the first shot, but before the second? I've seen several references to 92.x% efficacy >14 days after the first dose of the mRNA inoculations. Both doses are obviously necessary, but query whether the second shot substantially changes the recipients' immunity in the near term, or primarily dials in the efficacy and durability of what was accomplished by dose #1.

 

[DustyC]

DustyC, do your observations extend to the situation more than two weeks after the first shot, but before the second? I've seen several references to 92.x% efficacy >14 days after the first dose of the mRNA inoculations. Both doses are obviously necessary, but query whether the second shot substantially changes the recipients' immunity in the near term, or primarily dials in the efficacy and durability of what was accomplished by dose #1.

They're tracking every parameter imaginable, but most of the info is just flowing up, to levels above my pay grade. The only real reason I know the bit I do is because it was released with the info about no longer requiring quarantine for exposures with failed or no ppe.

 

[rmorgan]

That’s great news.

 

[Steelyeyes]

Reference my comments on flying....I thought it was being inferred that the virus was being transmitted on the plane. Its my understanding this not the case. Further, passengers being screened for vaccine status would significantly reduce the risk of transmission via flying would it not? Real world data out of Israel suggest the vaccines are significantly reducing transmission. If every passenger on the plane has been screened for vaccination and all adults on Bonaire have been offered vaccinations, I would say open up. It appears zero covid is not going to happen. Waiting on that we'll be sitting here doing nothing and going bankrupt forever.

The Island Governor basically said that the goal is to get everyone that wants to be vaccinated taken care of with the goal of opening the island. So far they've done 1300-1400 people.

 

[Steelyeyes]

The Island Governor basically said that the goal is to get everyone that wants to be vaccinated taken care of with the goal of opening the island. So far they've done 1300-1400 people.

Make that 1634 as of yesterday. I was one of them. No second doses yet but they just started about two weeks ago. In the 60+ group they have about 2500 signed up.

 

[aquabluegreg]

Because of rising COVID-19 infections on the island, on March 8, Bonaire implemented its Phase 5 risk measures, closing non-essential businesses, diving included. While hotels may serve meals to guests, only take-out is otherwise available. Travelers arriving in Bonaire from high-risk countries, including the U.S., require a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours and a rapid antigen test taken no more than 4 hours before departure from the last landfall before arriving. That may be tough, since few American airports have rapid antigen tests in or nearby.

Source: Undercurrent

 

[Steelyeyes]

298 active cases as of noon today. 6 people in the hospital. We only have 7 ventilators and staff to operate them but whether or how many people are on ventilators is not reported. There is a press conference at 4 PM local time today. Probably not good news.

 

[scuba127]

What is the vaccination status at this point?

 

[aquabluegreg]

Steelyeyes,

Thanks for the update. It is evident in small communities how fast this can spread and how fast a resurgence can happen. People desperately want to return to "normal" and that may not be the way life was over a year ago. All the medical organizations are talking about variants of the virus and that they may be faster to spread. On Bonaire all you need is one asymptomatic carrier who is careless. I sincerely hope they can nip this in the bud but it may take some contact tracing to stop the spread.

Stay safe and stay healthy.

 

[tursiops]

Because of rising COVID-19 infections on the island, on March 8, Bonaire implemented its Phase 5 risk measures, closing non-essential businesses, diving included. While hotels may serve meals to guests, only take-out is otherwise available. Travelers arriving in Bonaire from high-risk countries, including the U.S., require a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours and a rapid antigen test taken no more than 4 hours before departure from the last landfall before arriving. That may be tough, since few American airports have rapid antigen tests in or nearby.

Source: Undercurrent

This is no longer accurate, and was not really accurate when it was originally published by Undercurrent.
The source information is at Crisiswebsite van het Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire - Crisiswebsite van het Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire. Don't trust 3rd-party sites.
Diving has continued from the resorts, and from other drive-through operations.
The testing requirement for entry has also changed: there are two options now.
(1) 72h before arrival PCR test AND 24h before departure antigen test, or
(2) 24h before departure NAAT test, which includes PCR, RT-PCR, and others. this is available with the Abbott Labs "ID NOW" test that has about a 20-minute turnaround.

My guess is the press conference in an hour will extend the current Phase 5 for another week. It has not yet had the hoped-for effect.

ADDED: My guess was wrong. Phase 6 will start March 18 for two weeks. Full lockdown, curfew, school closed. I feel bad for those folks.