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UPDATE: Authorities confirm first suspected COVID-19 death in VI

-Cabinet along with National Security Council & HEOC meeting to decide way forward
In a release today, April 18, 2020, the HEOC said it is with regret that the VI registered its first death due to what authorities believe is the highly infections COVID-19 virus, however, they are awaiting confirmation of test results from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad and Tobago. Photo: Internet Source
 Information coming into Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) is that the woman who recently tested positive with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the territory, has died this morning April 18, 2020, at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital in Road Town the Capital City. Photo: VINO/File
Information coming into Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) is that the woman who recently tested positive with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the territory, has died this morning April 18, 2020, at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital in Road Town the Capital City. Photo: VINO/File
The diagnosis of the latest victim was first reported by Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) at the April 16, 2020, emergency sitting of the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA). Photo: VINO/File
The diagnosis of the latest victim was first reported by Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) at the April 16, 2020, emergency sitting of the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA). Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – A release from the Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) is Virgin Islands (VI) has now confirmed the first suspected COVID-19 death in the territory.

In a release today, April 18, 2020, the HEOC said it is with regret that the VI registered its first death due to what authorities believe is the highly infections COVID-19 virus, however, they are awaiting confirmation of test results from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad and Tobago.

“At the meeting of the House of Assembly, it was informed that a 52-year-old female was admitted to the ICU at the Dr. D Orlando Smith Hospital. The patient was treated in accordance with standard clinical protocols but unfortunately succumbed,” they said.

On Thursday, it was reported that local authorities have tested the virus in a Filipino woman who reported herself after experiencing symptoms. 

Victim Unnamed 

While the name of the victim has not been released, the HEOC said, “the team is in contact with the family and at this time our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased.”

The release noted that Cabinet, the National Security Council and officials at the Health Emergency Operations Centre have convened emergency meetings to consider immediate, medium and long term measures required to keep everyone safe and informed.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) along with His Excellency the Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone is expected to make an announcement on the way forward through a live media update this afternoon.  

See previous article published this morning, April 18, 2020. 

VI records first suspected COVID-19 death

-Lastest woman who tested positive for virus dies @ Dr. D Orlando Smith Hospital 

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Information coming into Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) is that the woman who recently tested positive with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the territory, has died this morning April 18, 2020, at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital in Road Town the Capital City.

Multiple sources familiar with the situation said that the woman is a Filipino national in her 50’s and she died sometime around 4:00 AM.

However, it is important to note that while the deceased tested positively locally for COVID-19, the test is yet to be confirmed by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad and Tobago as the protocol requires.

A senior government official declined to comment but said the Administration of Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) was preparing an official statement of the matter.

The diagnosis of the latest victim was first reported by Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) at the April 16, 2020, emergency sitting of the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA).

1 active case, 1 death

As of today Saturday, April 18, 2020, the Virgin Islands is down to 1 active case of COVID-19, with two previous recoveries. This means the remaining statistics for the Virgin Islands is now just 1 active case and 1 death of the 4 total reported cases.

Ahead of the death, Hon Malone disclosed to the HoA that a contact tracing team had been deployed for the latest victim and that samples were taken from 7 persons who were in contact with the individual have since tested negative, pending conformation of results from CARPHA.

We will bring more information as it unfolds.

29 Responses to “UPDATE: Authorities confirm first suspected COVID-19 death in VI”

  • Guest (18/04/2020, 12:02) Like (62) Dislike (3) Reply
    Condolences to her family and friend......BVI people don’t let this woman’s passing be for nothing. Stop worrying about superficial BS about hair, nails what restaurant we gone it at as we get out. This is a serious issue the country is presented with, nobody cares about how your weave look. Enjoy the time you have with you family and friends cherish it....uncut hair and all......ONE BVI
  • ... (18/04/2020, 12:03) Like (5) Dislike (18) Reply
    oh no but our stats still good
  • legal team (18/04/2020, 12:18) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
    My deepest sympathies go out to the family, friends, relatives and co-workers of this lady.

    Let me continue to thank Her Majesty's Government of the BVI,for its efforts in putting measures in place to protect Her Majesty's citizens from covid-19 in the BVI.

    While some of you continue to criticize the premier and ministers of government, for executing their oath of office, by doing what they believe is right to protect the citizens, I personally commend them.

    Each individual must play his/her part, to protect each other.

    One love BVI.
  • Been saying this... (18/04/2020, 12:25) Like (20) Dislike (4) Reply
    Let it not take a death or couple deaths here for people to take this thing seriously. All the 5G trolling is not doing any good either. THIS THING IS REAL! I hope it doesnt take for some of you disbelievers to catch it, to understand that. When we say stay in, stay in. Wash your hands, wear your masks, commit yourselves to social distancing protocols...and pray! A real sad turn of events, my deepest condolences.
    • hellboy (18/04/2020, 12:58) Like (9) Dislike (22) Reply
      YOU WAS GOING GOOD, UNTIL YOU MENTION PRAY.
      • Angel (18/04/2020, 13:17) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
        It's the prayers of your grandparents, parents, family, friends and loved ones that you are still here. PAY ATTENTION AND WAKE UP!
      • 6k (18/04/2020, 14:20) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
        Go suck yuh mother
    • @ Been saying this... (18/04/2020, 14:39) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
      Sound like a sheep, do you have evidence that she died of this virus or is she being labeled a victim like any and everyone else, once you die that’s the label you get regardless
      • @MyTagName (18/04/2020, 15:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Tell me something I do not already know. Doesnt change the fact that, in light of her passing, th
    • @Been saying this (18/04/2020, 14:58) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      You have been saying this too long now. Hear me. Do you see all of you who are pushing this 5G thing? When all of this is over and it will, you all will be buying, selling and using this technology like what.
  • Caution (18/04/2020, 12:28) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    people we understand the need to make money but wear your mask and execute good judgment as you move around the territory: the life you save might be your own....
  • trust (18/04/2020, 12:33) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh my god my condolences to her family
  • west man (18/04/2020, 12:35) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
    Condolences to your family. May your soul rest peacefully after your pain/suffering fighting whatever it was that cut your days short.
    To the FB attention seeking b!t€has and queers: y'all are the scum of the VI for those appalling remarks and cyberbullying when the news broke of her medical status. Think (if you truly can for your own selves) what if was your mother, aunt, sister or cousin. Sick immature sheltered persons we have here in these crucial times living amongst us. Go burn ayo dutty ain't wash in ovah 3 weeks nasty arses.....
    • @West Man (18/04/2020, 14:42) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      Thank you West Man for calling out the F***ing heartless bottom feeding scums. Most of them is already infected and don’t know it yet. If it was one of their family members they would be heartbroken. But, guess what , KARMA is a sweet B**CH.
    • At West Man (18/04/2020, 22:22) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      Did you have to say queer in a derogatory manner?
      Just don’t, please.
  • Intel Analysis (18/04/2020, 12:40) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is not a competition. This is not about having good Statistics. Anyone red, yellow, black or white, rich, poor righteous or unrighteous could contact CODVID 19. It has nothing to do with your geographical location. The unfortunate death of this mother, sister, aunt, probably wife has nothing to do with who she was or her ethnicity. I offer my heartfelt condolences to all concerned. We should pay keen attention (those who still believe that this virus is a joke) to what our Government and other competent authority are saying what we should to protect each other. I hope that we do not record any other new infection. This will be determined as to what we do from here. Let me repeat. This is not a competition.
  • son of the soil (18/04/2020, 12:44) Like (12) Dislike (14) Reply
    thank God for Fahie and the VIP for doing things to keep us all safe!!! 4 more years without a wip
    • vi (18/04/2020, 14:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      That don’t mean for more years every government around the world doing the same we cannot use that for political points that’s what we put them there for
  • Yes (18/04/2020, 13:19) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    This adam shame.......the lady went to the hospital before they asec jer say she has astma
    ..then pnemunia this is some of the symtoms why not kepr her in tje hospital why dis they send her home .......now look she went back to the hospital too late..id they had don what thet had to do on tje forst place shw mighta live ......they dam careless
    ..no wonder the cubans coming......calvin get down on them ass in that hospital.....people please.say in your houae safe guard your self.........the ministers trying their best. While health ........staff mesing up...
    .rest in peace my sister
  • vi (18/04/2020, 13:25) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    So sad R.I.P philipino
  • wow (18/04/2020, 13:55) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why y’all framing the woman death as covid19, give all the information out before you claim to confirm the case

    • ture (18/04/2020, 14:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      because she tested positive for COVID19 it is just to be confirmed
  • no nonsense (18/04/2020, 13:58) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    To hell with the broken WHO and the CDC. look at Switzerland, people out all day in the sun. We need vitamin D, our skin tone is worse at observing it. The deceased had " underlying health issues" like it's been said all over the world
    Well it's now we will have more depressed deaths. Worse than in Nazi's times. Where is Frazer for the 3rd
    • W*F (18/04/2020, 23:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Worse than Nazi times, how much of an idiot do you have to be make that comparison. Things being done for your safety vs genocide. Idiot
  • propaganda (18/04/2020, 14:00) Like (3) Dislike (9) Reply
    The governments around the world are the only virus I have seen, you control the people once you control the media
  • Chrome- (18/04/2020, 14:24) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Condolences to the woman's family.
    We will be forever lockdown because everytime we about to come off we'll have to go back because of another case because there is probably more
  • oh (18/04/2020, 14:29) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Like the premier oh the BBI will stand out the map. We have this amount xyz. Instead of working to progess
  • Gage (18/04/2020, 16:07) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    My deepest condolences to her family. With that being said, the public deserves to know who the positive cases are because there's a possibility that someone could have been infected by one of these individuals but is asymptomatic and in turn unknowingly infect others so we the public need to know if we crossed paths with those infected so that we could submit ourselves for testing.


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