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‘We do not have a confirmed Coronavirus case’– Premier Fahie

- Government debunks reports of a confirmed Coronavirus case in VI
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL), left, at the press conference on Thursday, February 27, 2020. Photo: VINO
CEO of the BVI Health Services Authority, Mr Ronald E. Georges, left, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Health and Social Development, Ms Petrona N. Davis, right, at the press conference called on Thursday, February 27, 2020 to update the public on reports of a Coronavirus case in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO
CEO of the BVI Health Services Authority, Mr Ronald E. Georges, left, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Health and Social Development, Ms Petrona N. Davis, right, at the press conference called on Thursday, February 27, 2020 to update the public on reports of a Coronavirus case in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Following a bombshell voicenote making the rounds that the Virgin Islands may have its first Novel Coronavirus case, Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has sought to dispel public fears.

“First of all we do not have a confirmed case of the Coronavirus, in the VI,” the Premier declared on Thursday, February 27, 2020 during a press conference.

He, however, confirmed that there was a local person who was displaying signs of the dreaded virus, which has affected more than 80,000 persons worldwide and claimed many lives.

“We have a case in terms of which a person had entered the VI that was coming from away showed some symptoms that created concerns, and since then the person has been tested and quarantined,” he remarked.

The person is now quarantined in an apartment in the Territory, and those who have been in direct contact with the individual are also being tested, the Premier said.

Tests sent to T&T

The Premier said while some initial tests were conducted in the Territory, further tests were sent to the twin-island state of Trinidad and Tobago to ascertain whether the individual was positive with the virus.

“We can say it is mostly unlikely, but we cannot confirm 100 per cent,” he pointed out.

Based on the manifest, apart from the suspected case, five foreigners were aboard the aircraft which arrived last weekend at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island.

Health officials were only made aware of the suspected case on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 and that information was passed unto the politicians this morning.

Officials will be searching for the remaining passengers to test them for the virus, Hon Fahie stated.

“We want the people of the Virgin Islands to know that we continue to exercise all options to ensure the safety of the people of the Virgin Islands as much as possible,” Premier Fahie said.

Precautionary measures at the ports of entry are being heightened in light of the scare.

39 Responses to “‘We do not have a confirmed Coronavirus case’– Premier Fahie”

  • CGB Resident. (27/02/2020, 17:38) Like (11) Dislike (8) Reply
    Of course he will deny it
    • wow (28/02/2020, 02:09) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      Ayo does read at all. He did not say that there is no case of coronavirus. He simply said there is no CONFIRMED case. SO what he looking is confirmation. Then he will let you know.
  • CGB resudent (27/02/2020, 17:40) Like (27) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why do we not have the ability to test here? Have to send test off island, scary!
  • Controls only when too late (27/02/2020, 17:49) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    This sounds scary as hell...
  • Dulce (27/02/2020, 17:50) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    A confirmed case of a suspected case is not the case.
    Stay tuned just in case.
  • lol (27/02/2020, 17:51) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    4 liards
  • Apartmeny (27/02/2020, 18:32) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    AN APARTMENT???? YALL SERIOUS?
    • nada (27/02/2020, 20:17) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
      That's a lie, it's a family house, so why are the parents and other siblings not quarantined to?
      She was not even supposed to at the house hiding out, it need a place for this, she came in since Saturday and only yesterday she being tested?
      The BVIHSA is not prepared for the virus, can you imagine what this 1 case can do to the BVI?
      Her family members are working people, quarantine them to....
      • Mind your business 2020 (27/02/2020, 22:48) Like (3) Dislike (21) Reply
        You should mind your business and stop dragging their Family into this. Let the officials do their jobs. You don't even know anything about the family and where the other "siblings" are in the world clearly since you seem to know everything talking about "it's a family house". You people make me sick! Hear ONE RUMOR and losing your mind and dragging poor family into the mud. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
        The BVIHSA and the Government of the BVI should be ashamed of themselves for letting this "speculation" even be leaked in the first. This is a serious case of HIPPA Violation and I hope that young lawyer deals with ALL OF YOU as you should be punished for this terrible act of deformation.
        • wow (28/02/2020, 02:04) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
          "Deformation". The only thing "deformed" is your spelling. It's defamation madam.
        • point blank (28/02/2020, 06:16) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
          If it is true that she been here since weekend, why did she not inform the relevant persons that she had been to areas where the infection was rampant? Or did she disclose it and they told her to stay home until she saw signs? Do we even know? I thought that if you were coming from one of these countries, you were to be tested and if needed quarantined right away, end of story regardless of whether or not you had any obvious signs. I pray that she is not infected with this crazy virus, and that no one has caught anything on her way here, because then this young lawyer will have not one person to “punish for DEFAMATION”.
          • To Point Blank (28/02/2020, 08:55) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
            If you're coming from one of these countries you should be WHISKED OFF to quarantine right away for at least 14 days, to being the testing and the waiting process. We are too reactive and not proactive.
        • hello (28/02/2020, 09:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
          How is this mud? This is very important to everyone's health since the virus is very contagious. Get a grip of yourself, we are not in China
        • Lollllll (28/02/2020, 10:20) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
          Since when BVI have HIPPA legislation? Help me out please. Thanks a million.
  • Unbelievable (27/02/2020, 18:39) Like (27) Dislike (2) Reply
    I can't believe what I'm reading, you have someone who was on a plane with other individuals that could be infected, and you are still "looking" for these people?
    How is someone safe in quarantined in an apartment? Surrounded by other persons in an apartment complex?
    You guys are really taking this thing for a joke!
    • lol (27/02/2020, 19:57) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Craig on Friday: “ Ooh now you getting scared..you wanna go lie down?”
  • 123 (27/02/2020, 19:09) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    For it to reach this level, it is serious. For them 2 doctors to be on about this it is serious. Furthermore, the 2 industry pillars affected. Financial Services business from Asia and, tourism. So this is serious thing to talk and we not equip to carry out our own testing. How effective and effecient is that. Trump done see it a big issue in USA. Stock prices falling on all major global exchanges. This is real serious.
    • Guest (27/02/2020, 20:01) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
      I should have invested in diapers because some of you all already done start s&:$:ing yourselves lol
      • @guest (27/02/2020, 22:50) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        Towels, soap for investment after all the s&&..ing.
        Wash hands folks,Seriously..
  • John (27/02/2020, 19:37) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    So therefore we don't really know if the young lady have the virus or not .according to the news .Further testing is been done in T&T. This is really scarie. and if her Jamaican parent have apartments renting in spooners where she lives its more frightening.
    • john John (27/02/2020, 21:27) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      You tink mebbe they tell she stay home and don't go out and ths the quarantine.
      Crossing my finger dem that we will be safe from corona and the virus cause I like Heinekin but I kinda nervous, Father look down pon we.
    • @ Mr John (27/02/2020, 22:50) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
      Learn how to spell "scary" before dragging her parents into this. What does them being Jamaican have to do with any of this?
    • hm (28/02/2020, 11:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      John why you had a say she Jamaican?.. You are an ah@le.
  • @ John (27/02/2020, 21:25) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Come on you didn’t have to go there
  • Logical BS (27/02/2020, 21:33) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    If the tests to diagnose have not been completed then we do not know what is there.The premier needs a basic course in logic and argumentative fallacy.
  • STTA (28/02/2020, 02:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let's see..... the person has the virus...let the medical report corroborate it for you sakes!!!
  • tretretrete (28/02/2020, 07:27) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is interested is the person “is now quarantined” which is not at all true. That person is all over the place and those who were in close contact with her are at work daily. How is one quarantined in his/her home?
    • usa (28/02/2020, 11:32) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      If what you are saying is true, then the said person should be in quarantined ie.. home, or a medical facility. If the said person is in contact with others, there is a chance that whom ever the said person has contact with will also become infectious. I strongly hope the said person is negative because the BVI is not ready or can han
  • Heineken (28/02/2020, 07:38) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Question is did they do contact tracing.
  • Signs (28/02/2020, 07:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Visionless leadership, thier is no signs at anyport to bring awareness to anyone. no embassodores questioning anyone ETC. to much orecautions to write and the Government has nothing in place
  • WHY? (28/02/2020, 09:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The word on the streets weeks now, So, This suspected case was known weeks ago. Why wait until the circulation of a voice note to address it.. It's hard for people to trust you when they know that you are
    not speakingg the whole truth... The word on the Street is that there is another suspected case in lock down....I will agree that it's important not to create a state of panic,. But allowing the voice note to get out before the minister can address it. Is actually creating a state of panic... That voice note is already all over the world. This is a failure of the authorities.. It's only suspicion, so they should have addressed it early as that.... Sad.
  • Travelor (28/02/2020, 10:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I came back from Europe on Saturday. Nobody asked me any questions
    Which flight was she on?
  • Windy (28/02/2020, 10:16) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hey ! Give them credit for disclosing what they know. Could have covered it all up. We will demand truthful information first of next week
  • Captain (28/02/2020, 14:06) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I came back from Ft Lauderdale with a cold. Nobody asked about my cough and there were other people with colds and such sniffling, no one was questioned.


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