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VI 'onslaught of COVID-19 cases' still possible- Dr Heskith A. Vanterpool

- but admitted VI was ahead of curve with early lockdown to prevent community spread
Medical Doctor and proprietor of Bougainvillea Clinic, Dr Heskith A. Vanterpool says while the Virgin Islands is praying against a possible onslaught of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), he said that a large number of cases could still be inevitable given the nature of the virus. Photo: Facebook
Dr Hesketh A. Vanterpool was at the time speaking on the Monday, March 30, 2020, special edition of the 'Honestly Speaking' radio show with moderator Claude O. Skelton-Cline. Photo: Facebook
Dr Hesketh A. Vanterpool was at the time speaking on the Monday, March 30, 2020, special edition of the 'Honestly Speaking' radio show with moderator Claude O. Skelton-Cline. Photo: Facebook
According to Dr Hesketh A. Vanterpool in parts of the world where the pandemic is playing out big, '20% of patients end up having to go to doctors and end up in the hospital and of that percentage, a smaller percentage will be admitted to the medical wards.' Photo: Internet Source
According to Dr Hesketh A. Vanterpool in parts of the world where the pandemic is playing out big, '20% of patients end up having to go to doctors and end up in the hospital and of that percentage, a smaller percentage will be admitted to the medical wards.' Photo: Internet Source
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - Medical Doctor and proprietor of Bougainvillea Clinic, Dr Heskith A. Vanterpool says while the Virgin Islands is praying against a possible onslaught of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), a large number of cases could still be inevitable given the nature of the virus.

Dr Vanterpool was at the time speaking on the Monday, March 30, 2020, special edition of the 'Honestly Speaking' radio show with moderator Claude O. Skelton-Cline.

"At this time, the BVI is under a great deal of tension, anxiety and while we prepare for a possible onslaught of cases, we are trusting and praying that this may not be the case, but I think we can't be foolish because we are seeing it all around us and we are human beings like everybody else as well," he said.

No evidence of Community Spread yet- Dr Vanterpool 

On Monday afternoon, the Territory confirmed its third case of COVID-19, bringing the total to three since the first two cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on March 25, 2020. All of the cases were imported.

At 8:00pm Friday, March 27, 2020, the Territory began a complete 6-day lockdown which, according to Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), was to make sure health authorities get to do their work and ensure the safety of the Territory while containing the spread of the virus.

According to Dr Vanterpool, that decision may have put the VI in a very advantageous position regarding containing the spread of the virus at the community level.

Minister of Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) said the latest case had a travel history to a country where there is community spread. “He is currently in quarantine and only had mild symptoms. His contacts are also quarantined and are asymptomatic, which means they have no symptoms,” the minister said.

VI ahead of curve with response measures 

"It appears that we may have been just ahead of the curve in locking down, up to this point we don't have evidence of community spread... and three cases that we have, have also been mild," Dr Vanterpool said.

According to the Medical Doctor, about 80% of the coronavirus cases tend to be mild and with the infection, about 30% of those infected are asymptomatic, meaning, showing no signs of symptoms and often unaware that they have been exposed.

He said in other parts of the world the pandemic is playing out big, "20% of patients end up having to go to doctors and end up in the hospital and of that percentage, a smaller percentage will be admitted to the medical wards."

Dr Vanterpool noted, some will end up in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and an even smaller percentage will get extremely sick and end up on ventilators, "the unfortunate thing is by the time somebody gets on a ventilator, it seems that less than 50% of those people survive."

31 Responses to “VI 'onslaught of COVID-19 cases' still possible- Dr Heskith A. Vanterpool”

  • True (31/03/2020, 12:24) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    this person is not up to date on how many people that go on Ventilators survive, worldwide only 13% survive after going on a ventilator and in Seattle they have that percentage up to 30% survive no where near what he is saying, this comes from doctors on the front line.
  • concern (31/03/2020, 12:43) Like (40) Dislike (3) Reply
    We have been informed that the 3rd case which was confimed ,contracted the virus in another country. Why was the name of the country withheld. In this unprecedented global pandemic, shouldn't the location of contamination be paramount information for the general public?
    • wow (01/04/2020, 08:47) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Absolutely preposterous comment. Tell me what is a great benefit of knowing which country he got it from. Many countries and islands have it so....does it really matter if it came form Timbuktu??? what you going do, avoid going there?

      what is of paramount importance is, keeping yourself , your family protected ...stripes.....
    • my point (01/04/2020, 14:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Exac6why was the country withheld???? Wow it was known for the other 2 now this is being withheld.... this is crazy
  • the rock (31/03/2020, 12:45) Like (11) Dislike (20) Reply
    Want to keep it under control do This 1, keep all boarders close till day may 2, make face masks mandatory, the proper masks and 3 keep the curfew but make some twitches to it like an half an hour a day for a stroll or a drive out, can't keep us lock down 24/7

    • st thomas (31/03/2020, 15:25) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yeah keep it close we don’t send them to ayo they coming told to st Thomas so if ayo borders close better for we although it close we still hold couple last week
  • heat (31/03/2020, 12:47) Like (12) Dislike (6) Reply
    Well lucky for us in the caribbean it wont spread like that because of the heat. Heat does NOT kill the virus but it severly affects its ability to be transmitted as high heat and humidity cause the structure of the virus cells to break down making it very weak.
    • @heat (31/03/2020, 13:33) Like (34) Dislike (0) Reply
      Florida heat (some days at 90+ degrees) & humidity high but that didn't stop the 5,000+ cases.
      • @heat (31/03/2020, 15:16) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
        There are still some studies that say that it is hard for the cases to be transmitted in heat. In Florida many of the cases were direct contact cases and a result of not adhering to the social distancing guidelines. Many of the cases were all imported cases and others were from direct contact with other with virus. Over 72 degrees scientist still say it makes it “harder” to stay active in comparison to cooler temperatures.
      • Pshh (31/03/2020, 15:25) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
        You can’t kill radiation with heat
    • @heat (31/03/2020, 18:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Is Spain cold ?
  • asking for a freind (31/03/2020, 12:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    is this straight talk?
  • one eye (31/03/2020, 12:51) Like (1) Dislike (20) Reply
    Claude is the man
    • Turd eye (31/03/2020, 14:34) Like (41) Dislike (1) Reply
      He needs a tape over his mouth not a mask
      • To turd eye (31/03/2020, 15:53) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
        Lol also, as a doctor he should know better...cause they said to only wear the mask if you ARE infected. He and Mr.NoCArrots look like 2 @ $$
        • No longer so, my dear (31/03/2020, 16:23) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
          America is looking into ALL Americans to wear a mask.
      • No Carrots (31/03/2020, 15:57) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
        They already said not to wear a mask unless you ARE infected with the virus...these 2 look like some real clowns
        • Wrong again (31/03/2020, 16:27) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
          They are now looking into EVERYONE wearing a mask. So you see, no one really knows about this killer. WEAR YOUR MASKS AND GLOVES, BVI.
          • To wrong again (31/03/2020, 18:18) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
            Lol you got that from whatsapp? Lmao ya'll believe everything but what you really should be believing ....guess you're one of them that believe you can kill the virus with bush (fever grass)
            • Wrong again (01/04/2020, 13:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
              I dont believe in crap or Fever Bush. Living in America for over 40 years now, and will abide with what the EXPERTS" are saying. I also encourage my family in the BVI to do the same and ignore foolishness.
            • Chany (02/04/2020, 11:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
              True. The bs from fda in USA was to slow the hoarding of ppe from dr and nurse. Now they in states looking strupes
  • Windy (31/03/2020, 13:54) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    All this for nothing. The government is letting “connected” nationals come back in if after they threaten to sue.
  • Concern Resident (31/03/2020, 14:20) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Please to the gvt continue this curfew until we are completely sure it is going to be hard but God will provide please come up with a plan to get us food and other stuff at least once a week we can get stuff and go home
  • eyes (31/03/2020, 17:14) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Advise to the primier keep the first curfew in place but keep all bars and clubs close for the next 4 weeks , corner shops that have crowds place police in those areas and at fine food were crowds seems to gather and from Friday to Monday morning 24 hours curfew simple as that.
  • hut (31/03/2020, 19:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The ppl them cow the authorities and them let them returniies infect us .Thanks immigration..police.. all wh drop the ball.
    • blame game (01/04/2020, 08:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Immigration and customs did not drop an ball. They simply did what they were ordered to do. Don't blame them, blame the foolish persons that threaten to sue rather than consider what was in the best interest of the community; blame the persons that refused to self quarantine. We are all in this because of their selfishness.
  • East End Diver (31/03/2020, 23:52) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    How about rotation by district to get to into town?
    Each district gets a day and time period to get what they need.
  • Rotate (02/04/2020, 11:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Driver. You smart. Also they divide alphabet by 3 ?!? There are 600 George on VG. 2000 smith in tola. How need Do a little math else there may be a crush of ppl in their phased shopping.


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