Minister Ottley displays the effects of The Delta variant vs The
Omicron variant
While there are many persons understands Minister Ottley’s
gradual approach toward the Omicron variant, there are still
those that question this approach and call for scale back or
lockdown. The Minister stresses on safety first, and encourages
everyone to do their best to avoid contamination during the
festive season.
The Omicron variant is on St. Maarten and is spreading at a
rapid pace. It is spreading so fast, that the active cases are
increasing drastically, averaging an increase of 90 per day.
Although, we are seeing the rapid spread of the Omicron variant
right now, we should also look at the potency of this variant, and
take into consideration that the laboratories and CPS are
experiencing a drastic increase in daily testing.
The decision to link the business hours to the number of
hospitalizations, is to ensure economic activity while avoiding a
collapse of our health care system.
Minister Ottley would like to draw a comparison between the
impact of the Delta variant versus the Omicron variant , on our
Health Care capacity.

The above chart is from 16 August 2021, which represents the
Delta variant, totaling 308 active cases and 17 hospitalizations.
The bottom chart represents the Omicron variant which
illustrates 326 Active cases and just 2 hospitalizations. Although
this variant spreads much faster, this variant is much more
milder than all previous variants.
“In closing, I would like to reiterate to the people of St. Maarten,
do not panic! Please remember to adhere to all the COVID-19
Health Care Protocols, which have proven to be the best way to
prevent becoming infected and infecting others. Reinforce what
we have learnt over the past two years and we will get through
this together.”

Minister Ottley displays the effects of The Delta variant vs The
Omicron variant
While there are many persons understands Minister Ottley’s
gradual approach toward the Omicron variant, there are still
those that question this approach and call for scale back or
lockdown. The Minister stresses on safety first, and encourages
everyone to do their best to avoid contamination during the
festive season.
The Omicron variant is on St. Maarten and is spreading at a
rapid pace. It is spreading so fast, that the active cases are
increasing drastically, averaging an increase of 90 per day.
Although, we are seeing the rapid spread of the Omicron variant
right now, we should also look at the potency of this variant, and
take into consideration that the laboratories and CPS are
experiencing a drastic increase in daily testing.
The decision to link the business hours to the number of
hospitalizations, is to ensure economic activity while avoiding a
collapse of our health care system.
Minister Ottley would like to draw a comparison between the
impact of the Delta variant versus the Omicron variant , on our
Health Care capacity.

The above chart is from 16 August 2021, which represents the
Delta variant, totaling 308 active cases and 17 hospitalizations.
The bottom chart represents the Omicron variant which
illustrates 326 Active cases and just 2 hospitalizations. Although
this variant spreads much faster, this variant is much more
milder than all previous variants.
“In closing, I would like to reiterate to the people of St. Maarten,
do not panic! Please remember to adhere to all the COVID-19
Health Care Protocols, which have proven to be the best way to
prevent becoming infected and infecting others. Reinforce what
we have learnt over the past two years and we will get through
this together.”