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Tourists tested positive for COVID-19 outside of quarantine- Health Minister

- contact tracing reveals more positive cases
The COVID-19 virus has been detected in persons outside of quarantine in the Virgin Islands and the Ministry of Health has embarked on aggressive contact tracing to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Photo: Presque Isle WAGM
It has also been revealed that two tourists, who were cleared from quarantine with negative test results, tested positive on their exit screening, Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) stated in a COVID-19 update on January 7, 2021. Photo: VINO/File
It has also been revealed that two tourists, who were cleared from quarantine with negative test results, tested positive on their exit screening, Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) stated in a COVID-19 update on January 7, 2021. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The COVID-19 virus has been detected in persons outside of quarantine in the Virgin Islands and the Ministry of Health has embarked on aggressive contact tracing to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

It has also been revealed that two tourists, who were cleared from quarantine with negative test results, tested positive on their exit screening, Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) stated in a COVID-19 update on January 7, 2021.

One person hospitalised

According to Hon Malone, there are now 18 active COVID-19 cases in the Virgin Islands and one of the persons is currently hospitalised at Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital.

Of the 18 active cases, 5 are located on Tortola, 12 on Virgin Gorda and one on a marine vessel.

“There are 6 persons among the active numbers that are ordinarily residents in this territory. The remaining 12 are all visitors,” Hon Malone stated.

He said the person presently hospitalised at Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital is not in critical condition and is responding well to treatment.

Community transmission?

Hon Malone said the Ministry of Health and Social Development is currently investigating 2 persons of interest from among the active cases.

“Both of these persons tested negative and were cleared from quarantine on Day 4 but subsequently tested positive during their exit screening that was required for departure. Both individuals and their contacts are under secured mandatory 14-day quarantine and subjected to testing as directed by the protocols,” Hon Malone stated.

He added that, to date, one of the persons of interest has three contacts that have tested positive for COVID-19 while others are scheduled for testing at the most appropriate time to detect the presence of the virus.

“It is also important to note that one of the persons of interest visited a number of establishments on Virgin Gorda and after an aggressive contact tracing exercise most of the close contacts have been identified, interviewed, quarantined and are being monitored.”

The Ministry, Hon Malone, announced, has reviewed each establishment and have determined that they are in full compliance with the appropriate protocols.

Testing

As an extra layer of security “aimed at easing the minds” of patrons and the general public, the Ministry of Health is asking persons who attended the New Year’s Party at CocoMaya Restaurant between the hours of 10:00pm and 1:00Am to call the Ministry of Health on 468-2274 or 468-4936 or email covid19.virginislands@gmail.com to schedule a COVID-19 RT PCR test.

“This request is for everyone who was in attendance whether they live on Virgin Gorda or other islands.”

Testing will be made available on Virgin Gorda at the Anglican Church Hall from 10:00am to 12noon and at the Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital tent between 12noon and 2:00pm from today, Friday, January 8, 2021 through Sunday, January 10, 2021.

Persons are urged to call or email to schedule their time for testing to prevent overcrowding at testing sites.

With the new positive cases reported, the VI has now recorded a total 114 cases of COVID-19. 95 persons have recovered from the virus and there was one death.

21 Responses to “Tourists tested positive for COVID-19 outside of quarantine- Health Minister”

  • vi (08/01/2021, 11:45) Like (14) Dislike (9) Reply
    That’s usual we can live with one one case open up the country do like the usvi present a negative test before you could tech customs and immigration
    • boy (08/01/2021, 12:12) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
      There is a community spread here
      • Hmmmm (08/01/2021, 18:19) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
        Ask the opposition leader and Cindy Rosan Jones what next now? They should be overjoyed. And all those who help them force the government hands F U all.
  • GG (08/01/2021, 12:02) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    So what now???????
  • luck (08/01/2021, 12:16) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    Well we have to live with it
  • my people (08/01/2021, 12:20) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    The quarantine days is far from enough. Everyone knows this except to some extent the business owners. My question is when we get to 100 plus active cases can the hospital handle such situation?? This is not an if ,we are going to be in the hundreds soon under this present quarantine days. Brothers and sisters brace yourself. We want their money well it comes with a price. Most of us will survive but again can our health system handle the work load?? Please increase the days for quarantine other Caribbean islands are doing it. Many of the businesses sanitizing stations are poorly kept and many dont have even paper towels or napkins anymore. Laugh at this one ,a hardware store in the sixth district adding water and a little liquid soap in a bottle wiith no paper towel all they care about is profit. . The main supermarkets are trying there best but still not up to the standard that should be in place. Go to sea cows bay to shop and see for yourself, people just walking straight in no sanitizing because none to be seen so no one real asked about it. I carry sanitizer 24/7 for who may ask and i use it in and out of my truck.
  • Oh No (08/01/2021, 13:19) Like (3) Dislike (16) Reply
    Oh wow... I always say that this 14 days not enough. And who sure if those person brought it in or they contract it from someone else. This virus is so tricky
  • Me (08/01/2021, 13:27) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    The Government has to get the Environmental Department and the Social Task Force out and about to inspect these business establishments, stores, restaurants etc. They were doing a good job earlier but since the borders open and tourists are in and more cases occuring, I notices these places are not adhering to the protocols.

    Please please, we are all in this together so have the relevant agencies levy fines on these places that are becoming slack!!
  • um (08/01/2021, 13:57) Like (11) Dislike (9) Reply
    This person may have actually caught it from here as they tested negative in all their tests. How do we know they didn't get it from someone else at the NYE parties they went to??
    • @ un (08/01/2021, 17:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Said the same thing but people out there trying blame everybody else instead of taking precautions
  • @me (08/01/2021, 14:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You are rite cause I always see them environment health ppls got their foot cock up and lay back relaxing making easy money
  • Scientist (08/01/2021, 14:20) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Given that everyone has to be tested upon arrival, and given the appearance of cases in tourists, would it be advisable to audit test labs to verify they are following all the procedures and protocols?
  • tip (08/01/2021, 14:57) Like (4) Dislike (11) Reply
    They had a fake entry covid test from their friend doctor
  • old (08/01/2021, 16:32) Like (0) Dislike (11) Reply
    If day not doning the right thing. Close them down.
  • DA Realist (08/01/2021, 17:15) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    Let me just say, the government is allowing persons to come into the territory with a negative test and ONE entry test done. They are in so-call quarantine until the negative test comes back. If the test comes back negative and more often than not, this only takes one day...then they are free to roam and go wherever they please. I am saying that this is ridiculous...I have seen test and released documents so therefore knows this information as FACTS. We have already seen after 7-8days, a male tourist tested positive after his 2nd (I believe) test yet our health and government authorities are allowing this to be the normal practice when it comes to persons entering our territory. What is really going on here? If incubation period for this virus is 14days why is the government only allowing 4days quarantine after receiving a negative test? Soon the whole population will be infected with this virus if it goes on like this...
    • @DA (08/01/2021, 18:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are wrong id u did what you say then you were not following the protocal, once you receive your day 0 test after 24 hours you still have to be in quarantine for 4 days. If you are on a boat you have a 30 feet bubble to be in after the day 0 result. So if you do otherwise it means you breech the protocal.
  • BVILOVE (09/01/2021, 22:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    In a BVI news article online it clearly states the infected person visited other establishments on Virgin Gorda, in yet none of those are mentioned by the government in their bulletin. Only Coco! Those businesses have not be closed and all staff fully tested! Meanwhile days pass and that increases the chance of spread.
    • Concerned (09/01/2021, 22:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      This is crazy! Why has government not closed other businesses on Virgin Gorda, carried out vigorous testing and contact tracing on the other places this person has been to? I just don’t get it!????
  • captain flint (10/01/2021, 18:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I saw US tourists without masks near the shops in at Nanny Cay and asked them where their masks were? And told them to put them on. Mask wearing should made mandatory in all public placed as the covid cases are increasing because the tourists are bringing in covid 19.
  • Steve (14/01/2021, 11:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVI health services needs to do more on the businesses not complying. Clearly the people in this article caught it on the island. It’s gonna happen. If businesses can’t comply with the basic rules - then enforce actions on them.


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