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9 persons 'under investigation' for COVID-19 – Hon Malone

- 27 tested, 107 under self quarantine; $12 million approved to aid VI's response
Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) said there are currently nine persons under investigation (PUI) and are under quarantine awaiting results from Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). Photo: GIS
The Virgin Islands confirmed its first cases of COVID-19 on March 25, 2020. Photo: Internet Source
The Virgin Islands confirmed its first cases of COVID-19 on March 25, 2020. Photo: Internet Source
Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital- The Government of the Virgin Islands has approved the withdrawal of $12M from the Reserve and Contingency Funds to prepare for COVID-19. Photo: VINO/File
Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital- The Government of the Virgin Islands has approved the withdrawal of $12M from the Reserve and Contingency Funds to prepare for COVID-19. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Nine persons from the Virgin Islands are said to be awaiting results on whether they are positive for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

This is according to Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL).

“There are currently nine persons under investigation (PUI) and are under quarantine awaiting results from CARPHA,” he said in a statement on Wednesday March 25, 2020 to announce the Territory’s two first cases of COVID-19.

He continued: “Here in the British Virgin Islands, our epidemiological summary is as follows: There are 27 persons total who have been tested for COVID-19; of the 27, 25 persons have tested negative and two tested positive. There are 107 persons currently on self- quarantine due to their level of risk.”

Doing it right 

The Minister said, locally, testing, containment, quarantine, contact tracing and follow-up strategies, are on-going and are being carried out around the clock in accordance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) technical guidance.

“The Ministry of Health and Social Development has: Assessed the readiness of our health facilities to meet the anticipated increase in demand on services. Continue to address existing gaps, including those with respect to additional supplies and equipment; although, at this present time, we have enough personal protective equipment on the island for our health facilities,” he stated.

Additionally, respiratory medicine is also ‘adequate’, and health care providers are continuously trained he informed.

“The Government of the Virgin Islands is urging the public to adhere to infection prevention and control measures as this will be key in reducing the spread of the virus. Practice simple everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of the respiratory virus,” he concluded.

$12M approved

The Government of the Virgin Islands has approved the withdrawal of $12M from the Reserve and Contingency Funds to prepare for COVID-19, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) stated.

The funds are to ensure that the Territory receives testing kits, four new respirators and to prepare quarantine for high-risk patients with the virus.

Meanwhile, Hon Malone revealed that some 300 test kits had been made available, and with the additional monies, his ministry ordered 5,000 more.

14 Responses to “9 persons 'under investigation' for COVID-19 – Hon Malone”

  • Dr cool (26/03/2020, 08:59) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why now we had enough time to get all the testing kits we need we far behind do we have enough ventilators if no when we will get it might be to late
  • NezRez (26/03/2020, 09:01) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Good looking out. Our Government is doing their best people. Let's listen, act and follow the health rules to fight fight fight this virus. One Love.
  • Truther (26/03/2020, 09:13) Like (52) Dislike (5) Reply
    This so called pandemic is all about;
    1) Controlling/isolating/quarantining the masses
    2) 5G deployment
    3) Economic/Stock Market Collapse
    4) Total Surveillance
    5) Forced Vaccination
    6) Cashless Society
    7) Microchip/ID2020
    #CoronaVirusHoax
  • Papa Doc (26/03/2020, 09:47) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    How many ventilators available..ventilators...ventilators...ventilators
    Has additional space and beds outside of the hospital been secured
    Should we connect with Cuba before necessity arises, for medical personnel and equipment.
    Is there a crematorium...How do we dispose of infected corpse.


  • The Bigger Picture (26/03/2020, 10:06) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am reading, I am listening and I am watching. I am concerned because I hope that the trail of those two persons who tested positive have been carefully followed. Who they worked with; who they associated with, family members of those who may have been around them, etc.
    I hope the authorities have covered all bases carefully.
  • Disgusted (26/03/2020, 11:35) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    What are they not telling us?
  • tretretrete (26/03/2020, 16:47) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Will government workers and parlimentarians take a 25% pay cut and gave that 25% to laid off workers. That will be a good sacrifice a great help..... Whats the plan to help laid off workers?
  • YES SIR (26/03/2020, 20:39) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thank God for RTW
  • musa (27/03/2020, 18:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Save some for hard time


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