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Gov't testing spate of home deaths for COVID-19- Hon Malone

- none found to have been positive for coronavirus so far
With a spate of at-home deaths plaguing the Virgin Islands in the past few weeks, Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) says the government has been conducting postmortem testing for COIVD-19, to determine if those deaths were as a result of the Novel Coronavirus. Photo: GIS/File
Hon Carvin Malone said the government is also awaiting WHO and PAHO confirmation on the effectiveness and reliability of some additional rapid result testing kits in receipt by local health authorities, before deploying for use. Photo: Internet Source
Hon Carvin Malone said the government is also awaiting WHO and PAHO confirmation on the effectiveness and reliability of some additional rapid result testing kits in receipt by local health authorities, before deploying for use. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - With a spate of at-home deaths plaguing the Virgin Islands in the past few weeks, Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) says the government has been conducting postmortem testing for COIVD-19, to determine if those deaths were as a result of the Novel Coronavirus.

"Some of the tests that were conducted were for the postmortem testing and so forth, so they were all negative so far, so none of the deaths reported has been as a result of COVID-19," Hon Malone said in a COVID-19 press conference, today, May 21, 2020, alongside Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1). 

More COVID-19 testing 

However, while the Minister did not go into the specifics of what the causes of the deaths were, or whether a trend was identified, he said some 161 COVID-19 tests have been completed in the VI so far and revealed plans for more mass testing to be conducted. 

"We have capabilities right now in the PCR test, the test that is more reliable of up to about 1,800... But the protocols have been always followed in terms of who will be tested, as it is throughout the world."

Hon Malone said the government is also awaiting World Health Organisation (WHO) and Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) confirmation on the effectiveness and reliability of some additional rapid result testing kits in receipt by local health authorities, before deploying for use.

Another home death today

Just today, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) confirmed that a woman was found dead in the Pleasant Valley area of Sea Cows Bay.

Last Saturday, May 16, 2020, two people died in different parts of the Territory. They were identified as well-known local Ruel Fahie aka ‘Fahie Boy’ of Fort Hill, Tortola and an elderly woman, Edis Hazelwood Bell of Virgin Gorda.

With no new local recorded cases, the VI's COVID-19 stats remain at 8 confirmed cases, with 6 recoveries, 1 death and 1 active case.

16 Responses to “Gov't testing spate of home deaths for COVID-19- Hon Malone”

  • SAY I SAY SO (21/05/2020, 16:48) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    They are dying from stress, fear and pressure
    • Dont be foolish (21/05/2020, 17:22) Like (69) Dislike (8) Reply
      Do you really think they will tell the truth? Some of you can are so gullible
      • Well Well (22/05/2020, 04:21) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
        @ Don`t be Foolish. your name speaks truth to you.
        So when people died after Irma the Government LIED ? Some people just can`t stop being busy, that's their nature.
        Always have to keep moving. May their souls RIP.
    • SHUT UP (21/05/2020, 18:03) Like (13) Dislike (8) Reply
      Them dying from the virus
  • Concequenses (21/05/2020, 16:54) Like (28) Dislike (10) Reply
    Hey Malone

    It might be a consequence of the additional stress put on these people caused by the poorly planned laws of this govt.

    Locking people op will cause deaths. More than this covid thing. Stop playing so scared.
  • E. Leonard (21/05/2020, 17:14) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ag. Deputy Premier Carvin Malone( AtL), MHSD, this is a sensible, urgently needed and progressive plan of action. It is important for both government and the public to know what is causing the spate of sudden deaths so that the appropriate action(s) can be taken. If some of the deaths were attributable to Covid-19, it may indicate that the disease may have spread wider than assumed and that contract tracing will be needed. Be safe and stay safe.
  • Practice Media Distancing (21/05/2020, 17:35) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    Media pushing fear killing people all over the world, it’s a fact that fear and stress depletes your immune system, now y’all add more curfew on the people, y’all really not letting go of this control and feel of power that you posses over the people
  • tp (21/05/2020, 18:19) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    Malone after coming under pressure... y'all wait to late. It's such a shame the public have to to tell y'all how you need to your job...
  • Eagle Eye (21/05/2020, 18:30) Like (16) Dislike (6) Reply
    People don't go home when 7 o'clock reaches. Enough is enough.
    • @Eagle Eye (21/05/2020, 21:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I done don’t stay home, can’t follow the flock when you know better
  • vinzen (21/05/2020, 18:35) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    People are dying from heart attacks due to stress. People are not taking things softly. They are overdoing it and that leads to heart attacks
  • 150 doctors (21/05/2020, 20:04) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    Destroying this agenda ! Share this video !!!!!! 150 doctors on a live call TOGETHER!

    https://londonreal.tv/dr-rashid-buttar-hosts-a-doctors-covid-19-roundtable-1000-voices-strong/
  • boyo (21/05/2020, 20:41) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dis man never wear a mask. Hypocrite.
  • I done (21/05/2020, 21:00) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Carbon dioxide poisoning
  • Morten (22/05/2020, 05:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    A post-Morten report is not a public document. As we know it is conducted to determine the cause of death on a person who died where death is not obvious otherwise. The report is only released to Family members, the Coroner, or anybody who is legally authorized to obtain the same. Normally when a person is ill or dies here the illness or cause death is always kept secret. It would appear that we want to know how everyone dies here. Let the Family make that decision.
  • We in trouble (22/05/2020, 06:36) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is not for news. Dont get caught up in the Drama and over react... People will die, people been dying before corona and people will die after Corona, then again the stress of lockdown down and mask wearing does weaken the immune system...88 yrs. Which i could live that long..


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