Faced with the coronavirus epidemic, material has just arrived in the Antilles. Leaving Toulon on April 3, the amphibious helicopter carrier Diksmuide arrived on Friday in Saint-Martin, ready to provide logistical and health support to these overseas territories.
The French ship has positioned itself in Marigot Bay (Saint-Martin), the first stop on its logistics tour. He will then join Guadeloupe on Saturday and Martinique on Sunday. Diksmuide carries "170,000 FFP2 masks, a million surgical masks and hydroalcoholic gel," recalled a statement from the Ministry of the Armed Forces.
Prevention and barrier actions on board
The PHA has on board "two Puma transport helicopters from the French Army, a Squirrel from the national gendarmerie, an EC 145 from Civil Security" and "reinforcements from the Armed Forces Health Service and disinfection experts" , adds the press release.
Diksmuide arrived after 14 days of crossing the Atlantic. The crew followed during the trip an "extremely strict social distancing", which allowed that there are "no cases on board", said Thursday during a press briefing in Martinique Rear Admiral Jean Hausermann , Commander of the Armed Forces in the Antilles (FAA). However, "the personnel who disembark from the boat on our islands will be tested so as to avoid any risk from the boat," he added.
đź”´ #Coronavirus 1155 cases and 22 deaths in #Outremer
A #Mayotte, 12 cases and one additional death, the fourth in total
â–ş Reunion: 394 cases
â–ş Mayotte: 245 cases, 4 deaths
â–ş Martinique: 160 cases, 8 deaths
â–ş Guadeloupe : 145 cases, 8 deaths
â–ş ... https://t.co/JI4nmZd4eW pic.twitter.com/CIYFlC6Vd6
On land, "social distancing measures will be applied throughout the mission, sailors will avoid contact with the land and no one will be allowed to board," said the Ministry of the Armed Forces.
Equipment sent to Guyana
The UGTG union, very active in Guadeloupe, had asked the authorities to have the crew screen for coronavirus, or for them to be placed in quarantine, as is now provided for by an order for all new arrivals. The UGTG took the example of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle on which at least 940 sailors tested positive for Covid-19.
Once in Fort-de-France, Diksmuide will transfer equipment to the Dumont D'Urville, an overseas support and assistance building, which will take care of conveying it to Guyana, the Minister of Overseas said on Tuesday. -See Annick Girardin.
The West Indies are for the moment less affected than France with 18 dead, in Martinique (8), Guadeloupe (8) and Saint-Martin (2), according to the latest assessment from the regional health agencies. But the fragility of their health infrastructures, their insularity and their remoteness raise fears of difficulties.
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