Premier Fahie approves $3M for Coronavirus preparedness & response
The Minister made the announcement in a statement released March 2, 2020, where he noted that the special funding was approved by Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), with additional funding to come as needed.
Special funding secured
"The Minister of Finance has also agreed to issue a special warrant to secure initial funding of over Three Million dollars ($3M) to assist with preparedness and response efforts to include: overall coordination, surveillance and risk assessment, rapid response, laboratory detection, ports of entry surveillance, public awareness and community engagement, case management, and infection control activities," Hon Malone said as part of the overall response.
According to the minister, the funding will cover capital works such as the retrofitting of Immigration booths, establishment of quarantine stations at Ports-of-Entry and the refurbishment of a section of the Major Peebles Wing of the Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital (commonly referred to as the ‘old hospital’) for the isolation and care of patients affected by the disease.
"As the need arises, Government will make additional funding available to ensure a vigorous COVID-19 response to protect the health and well-being of the Territory’s residents and safeguard its economic interests," Hon Malone also noted.
Gov't collaborating with Caribbean Neighbours
He said the Government of the Virgin Islands is also now collaborating with several other Caribbean countries to ensure a well-coordinated regional response.
"I was pleased to participate in the 8th Special Emergency Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government on Sunday, March 1st, where a regional protocol establishing minimum standards for dealing with the COVID-19 virus was agreed."
Hon Malone noted that apart from the CARICOM Heads of Government and Ministers of Health in attendance, present were also officials from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and representatives of the leadership of the Cruise Ship industry and their representative bodies.
Broad preparedness measures
While there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Virgin Islands thus far, he said the Government remains vigilant. As such, there has also been enhanced health surveillance, testing and quarantine of persons of interest, increased sanitation measures, passenger screening, and staff training at all Ports-of-Entry and issuance of travel guidance for affected countries.
Additional measures include quarantine spaces, training of healthcare providers in the initial detection and investigation of possible cases, increased public health education and engagement, recommending preventative measures such as handwashing, respiratory hygiene and environmental sanitation and encouraging the use of personal protective equipment by health workers.
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