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All 17 COVID-19 samples have returned 'negative'- Hon Malone

- 64 persons have now been tested with 61 negative & only 3 returning positive results for COVID-19
Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) has confirmed that all 17 samples of the persons under investigation for COVID-19 in the Virgin Islands (VI) have tested negative for the virus. Photo: GIS/File
Hon Carvin Malone said the three positive cases in the territory will be re-tested to determine if they have fully recovered from COVID-19. Photo: Internet Source
Hon Carvin Malone said the three positive cases in the territory will be re-tested to determine if they have fully recovered from COVID-19. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) has confirmed that all 17 samples of the Persons Under Investigation (PUI) for COVID-19 in the Virgin Islands (VI) have tested negative for the virus by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).

The confirmation brings the total number of persons tested in the Territory to 64 with 61 negative and three (3) positive cases as of today, Monday, April 6, 2020.

"Today we are announcing that 17 samples were collected by teams from the Regional Security System and tested by CARPHA over the past two days and the good news is that; all results were negative for the virus that causes COVID-19," Hon Malone said.

Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, in a statement on Saturday, April 4, 2020, had said “A further eight samples were sent today for testing, taking the total awaiting test results to 17.”

Re-testing for positive cases 

Hon Minister made the announcement of the results today, alongside Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), at their now daily press conferences to update the public on the Territory's COVID-19 response measures.

He said the three positive cases will be re-tested to determine if they have fully recovered from COVID-19, underscoring that the cases only exhibited mild symptoms and did not require hospitalisation.

Hon Malone noted that there is still no sign of community transmission of the virus in the Territory; however, he affirmed that the government has enhanced its surveillance for the virus in those quarantined.

Surveillance expanded 

“Our teams continue to expand surveillance and testing, provide support to all persons in quarantine and strictly monitor for development of signs and symptoms of the disease to ensure appropriate isolation, management, and/or treatment as necessary,” Hon Malone said.

He encouraged residents to call the medical hotline at 852-7650, if persons experience symptoms and assured that assistance will be made available for medical assessment and guidance.

"Our mission is to find and isolate any remaining cases of COVID-19 in the Territory, in order to minimise the risk of community spread and the suffering and loss that this will bring," Hon Malone said in reiterating the need for the 24/7 curfew.

25 Responses to “All 17 COVID-19 samples have returned 'negative'- Hon Malone”

  • 2020 (06/04/2020, 17:48) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    A ‘negative’ coronavirus test result doesn’t always mean you aren’t infected.

    So you have a cough and fever, and you just got test results back for the novel coronavirus: Negative!
    But wait a second. Your doctor may still caution you to act like you could have it. Stay home. Self-isolate. Don’t go visit your parents.

    What’s going on? The clamor for long-delayed coronavirus testing is teaching a basic lesson about how all medical tests work: No test is 100 percent accurate. Some test results may incorrectly say that a person has a condition, but they don’t. That’s a false positive. Other tests may incorrectly say someone doesn’t have a condition, but they do. That’s a false negative, and for covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, at this stage of the outbreak, experts are more worried about this type of inaccuracy.

    See more at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2020/03/26/negative-coronavirus-test-result-doesnt-always-mean-you-arent-infected/
  • Lesson here (06/04/2020, 17:49) Like (5) Dislike (30) Reply
    See we do not need no unelected white man from England our local elected government are very capable
    • GG (06/04/2020, 18:27) Like (5) Dislike (14) Reply
      This ia Music to my Ears... Fahie and Malone look like real dignitaries, real officil.. Like the head of state that they are.. Nice photo..
  • Ummm (06/04/2020, 17:50) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Well bro, I think the figures are about to change after the chaos that began on Thursday SMH. The fact that the government came up with a surname process, but didnt put anything in place for ID's to be checked made no sense.
    • BVi The Caribbean leader.. (06/04/2020, 18:38) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
      The BVI people can feel proud.. they are a few people who are making or trying to make mountain out of mold sand... Stop it... other caribbean islands always making reference to the BVI..The good things we are doing... We will be the first to get our civil servants back to work.. then they will say look at the BVI.. The caribbean are watching and admiting our way... Be proud..
      • great (07/04/2020, 14:32) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        I commend the BVI..Now time to manufacture your own food......
      • @BVi The Caribbean Leader (08/04/2020, 10:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        I wish to thank God for this great report. I must caution here that although it appeared that we may escape the full wrath of the Virus ( still too early to reach that conclusion) we will not do so because we are special or righteous. (Lord help us if that was the criteria to determine the level of impact on any Nation!. The Governor, Premier and his Team along with all of us who cooperated in curbing the impact of this scourge, should be highly commended. The plan used here was not "bred here" It was used in China to slow down the spread of the disease and adapted by the WHO who advised that it may be used by all Nation to combat the spread of COVID 19. This includes washing of hands, social distancing along with total or partial lockdown of many countries (etc). This is being used by many Nations, include those in the Caribbean. The British Virgin Islands adapted this plan.
  • ccc (06/04/2020, 17:53) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good news for bvi yall
  • Doing well.. (06/04/2020, 18:24) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    Little BVI is doing well... Some people dont want to hear those good news and wish for something bad so they can continue to stay home and get pay....The BVi people mojority of them are responsible and love to work people. The Government nd the medical team though short staff are doing an excellent Job... This news bring Joy to my heart...
  • YES SIR (06/04/2020, 18:48) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank God
  • (06/04/2020, 19:09) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    They had to keep retesting those person in trini off that cruise ship Costa Favolosa whatever is d correct name for that virus although some were pos upon arrival many tested neg till closer to two weeks upon arrival till date.

    Too early to feel we’re off the hook
    I’ve seen cases taking as much as 25 days to show positive.

    On that quarantine note
    Many saw some of the days persons again in the shopping spree couple days ago .
  • Black Sheep (06/04/2020, 19:33) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    Of course we don’t have any cases because we don’t have 5G... Meanwhile them Chinese over in China tearing down them towers. Power to the people !
  • My friend is curious (06/04/2020, 21:08) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is there more in the mortar than the pissol? My friend would like to know, How come the Governor was absent during the announcement of such excellent news?
    • Is either (06/04/2020, 21:57) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
      He’s only the bearer of bad news or he doesn’t want to be caught up in lies.
  • NezRez (06/04/2020, 21:23) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is WONDERFUL news! Negative results for the other ones. Maybe there is hope if everyone follow the rules and don't be stupid to spread this virus. WONDERFUL!
  • Hear Hear (06/04/2020, 21:43) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good news about the latest batch. Brings a sigh of relief, We must be aware that there is about 4,000 of us in residence who has not been tested. The possibility of being a carrier or developing symptoms or an ill person who could be administering his or own medicine of choice must be considered. This virus is moving around the globe and infection peaks before it leaves. Please be vigilant. May our Blessings continue.
  • T (07/04/2020, 00:05) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    give god the glory thank you jesus hallelujah
  • son of the soil (07/04/2020, 00:15) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Deport the 3 who brought it here and we all would be coronafree
  • Ok now (07/04/2020, 00:21) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Lift that unnecessary 24 hr curfew and put us under a 10 hr one instead
  • lol (07/04/2020, 00:25) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    MUTT AND JEFF OR BATMAN AND ROBIN ?????????????????????????????????
  • So (07/04/2020, 06:39) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    "Today we are announcing that 17 samples were collected by teams from the Regional Security System and tested by CARPHA over the past two days and the good news is that; all results were negative for the virus that causes COVID-19," Hon Malone said.

    Over the past 2 days. A 2 day turn around?
  • Anonymous (07/04/2020, 06:57) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Bvi in the move VIP is the best thing the voters did only they can handle this

    If we had the likes the light weight of aaron, Travor Myron, sandy, digo in charge? all of us were dead dead dead there is a god in heaven vip all the way


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