The COVID-19 pandemic in Aruba was a part of the ongoing global viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was documented for the first time in Aruba on 13 March 2020. As of 29 May, all cases recovered.[3] On 29 June, two new cases were discovered.[4]
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.[5][6]
13 March 2020 - Prime MinisterEvelyn Wever-Croes announced the first two confirmed cases of coronavirus on the island.[10] As a result, the country restricted entry of all individuals coming from Europe via air and seaports – starting on March 15 and in effect until 31 March – with the exception of those who are Aruban citizens.[10] They also suspended public and private school classes for the week of 16 March, as well as all large-scale public gatherings.[11]
15 March 2020 - At approximately 8pm AST, Aruba's Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes announced that there would be a lockdown on all inbound international travel commencing at midnight of 16 March 2020 and ending 31 March 2020. An exception to this inbound travel lockdown would be granted to Aruba residents. A travel advisory would also be instituted for residents, advising against outbound travel at this time. To this date Aruba had two confirmed coronavirus cases. It is important to note that this lockdown does not apply to outbound travel for international travelers currently in Aruba – they will be able to take their return flight home.[10]
16 March 2020 - The third case of the coronavirus was reported, a doctor who recently travelled to New York for her vacation. She did not show any symptoms, but was tested, and the results of the test showed she was positive for the virus.[12]
17 March 2020 – Fourth case of coronavirus announced. The person who tested positive for the coronavirus is a tourist.[13]
20 March 2020 – Fifth case of coronavirus announced. The patient is an employee of the airport, who arrived back from New York, where he was on vacation. This was discovered a day after there was public protest over the lack of measures on the airport to protect employees against contagion.[14]
21 March 2020 – Three more cases have been announced, bringing the total to eight. It concerns two people from outside of Aruba (one from New York and one from Miami). The third case is possibly the first locally transmitted case.[15]
22 March 2020 – A ninth case is now known to be a CMB employee, who had returned from travel to the USA. He has been to work only a relatively short time and has had no contact with customers. CMB has now closed the branch until further notice.[16]
23 March 2020 – Again three more cases have been announced. They are two locally transmitted cases, and one brought to Aruba from Colombia.[17]
24 March 2020 – Five new cases are reported, bringing the total to 17 now. Though this looks like a big jump the testing has been increased from 20 persons to 40 per day. Of these 5 cases, three are locally transmitted.[18]
25 March 2020 – Only two new cases are reported, totaling 19. It's possible this is the effect of the drastic measures that were taken earlier this month, such as the ongoing curfew. It concerns one imported case from Colombia, and one locally transmitted case.[19]
Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital (2003)
26 March 2020 – Nine new cases are reported, totaling 28. This is likely related to the increased testing, which has now doubled (from 50 per day to 100 per day). Several cases are employees of Respaldo, the mental health institute of Aruba, which is situated close to the hospital.[20]
27 March 2020 – Five new cases on this day are reported, bringing the island to 33 cases. All of those are locally transmitted case, and one of those working at Respaldo, where people were infected a day before.[21]
28 March 2020 – Thirteen new cases have been reported, the highest to date, with a current total of 46 now. There is no record yet as to the origin of these new cases.[22]
29 March 2020 – Only four new cases this day (total 50). A possible cause is the effect of public measures that started 15 March. Initially the number was set to six cases, but two of those appeared to be false positives.[23]
31 March 2020 – Unfortunately another increase of 5 cases (total 55). Four patients are hospitalized, of which one in medium care unit, and one in intensive care unit.[24]
April 2020
2 April 2020 – 5 new cases are reported, totaling 60 now.[25]
3 April 2020 – 2 new cases have been reported, totaling 62 now. Nine patients are hospitalized.[26]
4 April 2020 – Again only 2 new cases have been reported, totaling 64 now. A rumour that over 40 cases had been found in Savaneta was quickly discredited by the national health services (DVG).[27]
6 April 2020 – 7 new cases have been reported. Up to this point 910 persons have been tested, of which 838 have resulted negative, and one result is still pending.[28]
7 April 2020 – 3 new cases, bringing the total to 74 now. 14 people have recovered, so the total number of active cases is 60.[29] 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.[30] Aruban DJ Sha King Arrindell died in New York City from COVID-19 at the age of 34.[31]
8 April 2020 - 3 new cases bringing the total to 77 now. There have been no new recoveries, thus the number of active cases is 63.[32] Fitch Ratings lowered Aruba to BB (non-investment) because of the expected lack of income from tourism and expected increased debt.[33]
9 April 2020 - 5 new cases bringing the total to 82 now. There have been 6 new recoveries, therefore the number of active cases is 62.[34] The United States announced a repatriation flight for stranded in Americans.[35]
10 April 2020 - 4 more cases test positive and there have been 5 more recoveries. The current number of active cases is 59. 1,058 people have been tested thus far.[35] Respirators, medicine and protective equipment is being flown to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao by the Dutch government. The shipment will contain 12 ICU beds for Aruba.[36]
11 April 2020 - 4 more cases bringing the total to 92, and 2 more recoveries. The current number of active cases is now 63.[37] Aruba is disappointed with the emergency aid from the Netherlands. Aruba can borrow about 21 million euros, but had asked for 200 million euro. Prime Minister Croes said that she appreciated the loan, but did not agree, because the island is largely dependent on tourism.[38]
12 April 2020 - No new cases, 3 more recoveries bringing the number of active cases to 60.[39]
13 April 2020 - Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital, the only hospital on Aruba, which originally had 6 ICU beds had already increased its capacity to 21, and now has 33 ICU beds.[40] There are currently three patients in ICU.[41]
14 April 2020 - A hairdresser who has been hospitalized and is in intensive care has tested positive.[42]
15 April 2020 - Aruba announces the first COVID-19 related death.[43] There are currently 93 cases and 39 recoveries.[44] A second death has been announced. The person fell ill and was due to be tested the next day, but died before testing. The result has been confirmed posthumously.[45]
17 April 2020 - Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes said that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Aruba is in a severe economic crisis and that there is no guarantee that the wages of civil servants can be paid for the coming three months. Therefore, there will be 15% pay cut across the board.[46] The cut has been revised to 12.6% for civil servants, 20% for Ministers, office holders, advisers, and directors, and 4.5% for the pensioners of the APFA.[47]
19 April 2020 - Legal and illegal migrants who are stranded on Aruba and cannot afford repatriation are asked to register for voluntary repatriation.[48]
23 April 2020 - 21 out of the 35 hired American health care workers have arrived in Aruba. They will be tested and go into isolation for 7 days after which they will start working at the Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital.[49]
24 April 2020 - It was confirmed one of the hired health workers tested positive for COVID-19. Immediately the entire team was sent back to the United States.[50]
29 April 2020 - The budget for 2020 was approved in Parliament and a supplement was added lowering the salaries by 25% until the end of 2020.[52]
30 April 2020 - The schools will not reopen on 11 May.[53]
May 2020
1 May 2020 - The Dutch government had approved a 'soft' bail-out of 49.5 million florin (± $27.6M) for Aruba which had to be repaid in two years without interest.[54]
7 May 2020 - The third death had been announced. It concerns a 70-year-old man.[55]
12 May 2020 - Thousands of families in Aruba depend on food aid. Jandino Asporaat, the Curaçao-born television personality, had raised over €1 million for food aid in Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten.[56]
17 May 2020 - Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes had conceded to the condition imposed by the Dutch government for the 113.3 million florin (±€58 million) soft loan.[57]
29 June 2020 - Two new cases had been discovered.[4]
August 2020
5 August 2020 - There was a dramatic jump in active cases after 39 cases of community spread were discovered.[58]
8 August 2020 - A record number of new cases had been discovered. Groups with over 4 people are no longer allowed, and everybody is to remain inside if possible.[59]
Public measures
15 March 2020 - 31 March 2020 schools were closed until the end of March. Schools were asked to implement a plan for online classes to minimize impact.[11]
15 March 2020 - Restricted entry of all individuals coming from Europe via air and sea.[10] On 16 March, it was expanded to all international travel.[60]
21 March 2020 - 28 May 2020 an indefinite curfew was set, from 9PM until 6AM. Violations were met with fines up to AWG 10,000 (+/- US$5500). In addition all shops had to be closed by 8PM.[61]Lockdown was implemented, all flights to the island was prohibited. Humanitarian flights were allowed to land to return stranded passengers home.[62]
24 March 2020 - A list of maximum price for essential goods was instituted.[63]
25 March 2020 - After the curfew was set, journalists rallied against this decision, and wrote letters to international organization for support, which they also received. The indignation was caused by a reporter of the Dutch television being arrested and fined 1,000 florin on 23 March for not abiding to the curfew.[64] The prime minister afterwards declared the press will be allowed on the streets during the curfew, but only 3 designated members of the press will be assigned, and should be ready to be stopped by police and properly identify themselves as members of the press.[65]
26 March 2020 - Starting Sunday 29 March, a mandatory 'shelter in place' order will be active, which means nobody can leave the house for anything but the most essential activities, such as groceries and doctor's visits. Sports will also be allowed, as long as people keep distance, as this is essential to general health. This order will be maintained for at least two weeks.[66]
7 April 2020 – The government of Aruba expanded the current shelter in place order for the Easter weekend. freedom of movement was prohibited unless for essential travel. Public gatherings were prohibited. Only groups of a maximum of three are allowed and all should be living under one roof.[67]
29 April 2020: The curfew was modified. The curfew time was set from 10PM until 5AM.[68]
4 May 2020 – 17 May 2020: Certain businesses were allowed to open, with a gathering restriction of 15 people inside the premises, including the staff[69]
18 May 2020 – 31 May 2020: Businesses could open with a maximum of 50 people inside the premises
1 June 2020 – 14 June 2020: Businesses could open with a maximum of 125 people inside the premises
15 June 2020 – onward: Restrictions (if any) will be defined at a later time
26 August 2020 – A new curfew was instated, lasting between 12AM-5AM[70][71]
18 September 2020 – The curfew was changed to 10PM–5AM[70]
7 October 2020 – The curfew was changed to 12AM–5AM[70]
7 January 2021 - Because of a continuing rise of cases, the measures that started in December have been prolonged until 31 January 2021. This includes a curfew from 11PM-5AM.[72]
Statistics
Third wave
Chronology of the number of active cases (1 December 2020—)
Graphs are temporarily unavailable due to technical issues.
Second wave
Chronology of the number of active cases (28 June 2020—30 November 2020)
Graphs are temporarily unavailable due to technical issues.
First wave
Chronology of the number of active cases (12 March 2020—29 May 2020)
Graphs are temporarily unavailable due to technical issues.
Aruba, officially the Country of Aruba, is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands physically located in the mid-south of the Caribbean Sea, about 29 kilometres (18 mi) north of the Venezuelan peninsula of Paraguaná and 80 kilometres (50 mi) northwest of Curaçao. It measures 32 kilometres (20 mi) long from its northwestern to its southeastern end and 10 kilometres (6 mi) across at its widest point. Together with Bonaire and Curaçao, Aruba forms a group referred to as the ABC islands. Collectively, these and the other three Dutch substantial islands in the Caribbean are often called the Dutch Caribbean, of which Aruba has about one-third of the population. In 1986, it became a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and acquired the formal name the Country of Aruba.
Papiamento or Papiamentu is a Portuguese-based creole language spoken in the Dutch Caribbean. It is the most widely spoken language on the Caribbean ABC islands, with official status in Aruba and Curaçao. Papiamento is also a recognised language in the Dutch public bodies of Sint-Eustatius and Saba.
Same-sex marriages are not performed in Aruba, Curaçao, or Sint Maarten, which are constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The islands were obliged after several court rulings to register any marriage registered in the Kingdom, but this primarily considers residency rights, and they do not have to give same-sex marriages the same legal effect as opposite-sex marriages. Marriage in the European territory of the Netherlands, as well as in the Caribbean municipalities of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, is open to any two people irrespective of sex.
Scouting in Aruba shared a common history with the other Netherlands Antilles until the political separation of the island from the Netherlands. Scouting Aruba is a Full Member of the Interamerican Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.
Papiamento has two standardised orthographies, one used on the island of Aruba and the other on the islands of Curaçao and Bonaire. The Aruban orthography is more etymological in nature, while the other is more phonemic. Among the differences between the two standards, one obvious difference is the way the name of the language is written. In Aruba it is written Papiamento, while in Curaçao and Bonaire it is written Papiamentu. The governments of Curaçao and Aruba formally standardised orthographic rules in 1976 and 1977, respectively.
The Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital is a 320-bed hospital on the island of Aruba, founded in 1976 by the non-profit foundation Stichting Ziekenverpleging Aruba. It is the one of two hospitals on the island.
Aruba Airlines is the flag carrier and the sole airline of Aruba. The airline, founded in 2006, providing scheduled and charter air transport for passengers to 13 destinations. Aruba Airlines's corporate headquarters is in Oranjestad, Aruba. Aruba operates its primary maintenance base at Miami. They received an AOC from the United States in 2015.
Pauldrick François Teodoric"Paul"Croes is a former Aruban politician who served as the Minister of Social Affairs, Youth and Labor in the Second Eman Cabinet from 2013 to 2017. As a member of the Aruban People's Party, he was a member of the Parliament of Aruba between 2009 and 2013.
This article documents the chronology and epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in March 2020, the virus which causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The first human cases of COVID-19 were identified in Wuhan, Hubei, China, in December 2019.
The first cases of the COVID-19 pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 in North America were reported in the United States on 23 January 2020. Cases were reported in all North American countries after Saint Kitts and Nevis confirmed a case on 25 March, and in all North American territories after Bonaire confirmed a case on 16 April.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador was a part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The virus was reported to have spread to Ecuador on 29 February 2020, when a woman in her 70s tested positive for the virus. Ecuador was described in April as emerging as a possible "epicentre" of the pandemic in Latin America, with the city of Guayaquil overwhelmed to the point where bodies were being left in the street.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Honduras was a part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The virus was first confirmed to have spread to Honduras on 10 March 2020, when two women tested positive for the virus after one of them landed on Toncontín International Airport in a flight from Madrid, Spain, and the other on Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport in a flight from Geneva, Switzerland. Confirmed cases have been reported in all 18 departments of the country, with the majority of cases located in Cortés and Francisco Morazán.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Curaçao was a part of the ongoing global viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was documented for the first time in Curaçao on 13 March 2020. The case was a 68-year-old man who was on vacation from the Netherlands. By 9 July 2020, all cases resolved. On 15 July, a new case was discovered, and on 6 August all cases resolved again briefly until 10 August.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Sint Maarten, also known as the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Sint Maarten,was a part of the ongoing viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was confirmed to have reached the Dutch Caribbean island of Sint Maarten on 17 March 2020. By 15 June, all cases recovered. On 1 July, a new case had been discovered, which resolved on 3 July On 15 July, a 79th case was discovered.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Sint Eustatius 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 Sint Eustatius on 31 March 2020. On 5 May all cases recovered. The island's first COVID-19 death was recorded on 19 January 2022. The patient died at the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMCC) where they had been transported for treatment according to the press release of the St. Eustatius government.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Bonaire 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 Bonaire on 16 April 2020. On 28 April, all cases recovered. On 14 July, two new cases were discovered. On 13 August, all cases recovered.
Miguel José Mansur is an Aruban politician of the Accion 21 party. He was elected a Senator of the Parliament of Aruba in the elections of 25 June 2021. He was the top vote getter amongst new candidates and fifth overall of 176 candidates participating.
John William Merryweather was an Aruban landscape architect and politician. He served as the first Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba from 1986 until 1989.
The second Wever-Croes cabinet is the current cabinet of Aruba. It was installed on 20 September 2021 by Deputy Governor Yvonne Laclé-Dirksz. The cabinet is formed by a coalition government of the center-left political parties People's Electoral Movement (MEP) and RAIZ, and is led by Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes.
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