Today there were 72 cases (67 residents and 5 non-resident) diagnosed since yesterday's numbers were released, and 50 patients marked "recovered", so there are now 510 active cases.

626 people were tested since yesterday, including 296 at the airport on arrival and 330 (!) at the hospital or private labs. In total, 70,661 people have been tested, including 42,849 at the airport.

At the hospital, there are 6 patients in the ICU and 5 patients in the "covid ward".

Notes:
- Enhanced measures are now in effect through at least 31 January. Curfew from 11pm to 5am; businesses must all close by 10pm. Hotel and timeshare businesses and guests are excepted; guests don't necessarily need to be in their rooms at that time, but they must be on the property. If you have any questions, please speak with your front desk. Please see this post for the full details on the new restrictions.

Just out of curiosity, has their been any theories floating around as to why the sudden increase of cases? Here they have been saying if it is local transmission or coming from outside source, like someone travelling and bringing it into their household. I would assume they could tell if a visitor slipped through protocols and infected a local. Oh and by the way, I know your not a doctor or government official!

Everyone "thinks" it's coming from people (locals AND visitors, both, maybe?) who failed to properly "social distance" during the Christmas and New Years holidays. The Prime Minister, in the period leading up to the holidays, repeatedly called for people to follow the rules, but didn't actually increase any restrictions until after the numbers started to increase (thus proving that people ignored her requests).

Bottom line: lots of people feeling festive, visiting each others homes, having parties, gathering together and drinking and singing + a very infectious illness = a big increase in cases.

Or at least, that's what "they" are all saying.

Thanks for the response. The thing that I find concerning with the thought that this is community spread is that there are more than just a few that have it and are (either not symptomatic or knowingly) intermingling with family, friends and coworkers. Being such a small island, I hope the numbers level off quickly! Stay safe!

There has really been a surge in people testing these days, so hopefully Aruba will indeed start to get a handle on it soon. Plus the new restrictions (...if enforced...) should help.

My perspective: more tests = more results = more positives, and negatives. Testing [in and of itself] doesn't protect anyone from contracting CV-19. Testing only gives those-in-charge the information needed to determine where/what/who/when efforts should be concentrated. Always has been and always will be.