From Left: World Health Organisation (WHO) Health Emergencies Programme Director Michael Ryan, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO Technical Lead Maria Van Kerkhove attend a daily press briefing on COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, at the WHO heardquaters in Geneva on March 11, 2020. Photo: Fabrice Coffrini /AFP via Getty Images

The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government of Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), left, has responded swiftly on different fronts, including with signing an Advance Warrant for $3M to aid the Territory’s response to the Coronavirus threat. Right is Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) who has been consistently giving updates on Government’s response. Photo: VINO/File

A woman passes by a world map at the national police headquarters in Panama City showing countries that have reported cases of the new coronavirus. Photo: Luis Acosta/AFP VIA Getty Images

During a briefing on March 11, 2020 in Geneva, Switzerland, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the outbreak to be "the first pandemic caused by coronavirus."

"WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and is deeply concerned both by the alarming spreads and severity and by the alarming levels of inactions."

COVID-19 officially a pandemic

According to Mr Adhanon, this has led them to come to the assessment that COVID-19 can be charaterised as a pandemic. "Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly." 

He said that misuse can cause unreasonable fear or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary sufferings and deaths.

Adhanon said that describing the situation as a pandemic does not change WHO’s assessment of the treats posed by the virus. "It doesn't change what WHO is doing and it doesn't change what countries should do."

VI’s response

While some countries have been accused of inaction, this cannot be said of the Virgin Islands, as the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government of Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has responded on different fronts, including with signing an Advance Warrant for $3M to better protect frontline officers and the population; to purchase supplies and equipment and to prepare the Major Peebles Wing of the Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital as an isolation centre.

The National Emergency Operations Centre was also activated at LEVEL 1 to adequately prepare for the effective coordination of strategic responses across the Territory, as the need arises.

Other measures include suspending the visa-free initiative for Nationals of the People’s Republic of China; Issuing of travel advisories in respect of China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Italy due to the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in those countries; Revised and updated protocols being issued to cruise ship companies indicating that clearance will be denied to any ship with a passenger or crew member with recent travel history to an affected area, where that person is exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and does not have a negative test result and Cabinet decided to restrict non-essential duty travel by public officials to areas affected by COVID-19.

Further, the Deputy Governor has issued workplace guidelines for the public sector, including a checklist to help guide public officers in the best ways to protect themselves and the public they serve.

“Through our strong partnerships with Statutory Bodies such as the Ports Authority and the Tourist Board, we are providing similar advice and support to cruise ship agents, hoteliers and charter companies. All employers in the public and private sectors are encouraged to develop or review plans to ensure they are able to operate with adaptations like telework and flexible sick leave policies, and are prepared to respond if an employee/s were to report symptoms of illness, Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) announced in a statement on March 10, 2020.

In addition to the training programmes completed, Hon Malone said the Environmental Health Division will continue its outreach in target areas such as taxi operators, ferry operators, and schools to review and enhance their infection prevention and control procedures. “Arriving passengers at any of the Ports of arrival should have witnessed increased measures aimed at keeping our BVI as safe as possible.”

Increased border control & quarantine measures

On Wednesday, March 11, 2020, the Ministry of Health announced that the Government of the Virgin Islands implemented increased border control and quarantine measures for travellers entering the Territory based on assessment of risks, vulnerabilities and capacities in response to the coronavirus disease COVID-19.  

According to a release, "This was done preceding the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring the COVID-19 a pandemic today, March 11."

It further said any national or non-national with a travel history within the last 14 days from an affected area, whether in transit or originating, or has been in close contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 within the last 14 days, may be subject to quarantine on arrival in the British Virgin Islands for up to fourteen (14) days even if they do not exhibit symptoms of COVID-19.  

"All travellers entering the BVI (including BVI citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family) will be subject to screening and passenger tracing at port of entry; and may be subjected to clinical examination and quarantined for up to fourteen (14) days, as deemed necessary, in accordance with the Quarantine Act, 2014."

It was also explained that during quarantine, persons will be monitored for the development of signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19 by a designated health officer. Travel outside of premises and direct contact with anyone other than medical personnel will be prohibited or restricted.

"These measures are being taken to avert the introduction and active transmission of this disease in the British Virgin Islands, thereby safeguarding the health and wellbeing of all residents and visitors and will remain in effect until further notice.”

118,000 infected in 114 countries

As of Wednesday, March 11, 2020, 114 countries reported that 118,000 have contracted Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus, known as SARS-CoV2.

Nearly 4,300 people have died.

In the United States, where for weeks state and local laboratories could not test for the virus, just over 1,000 cases have been diagnosed and 29 people have died.

In the Caribbean, some 19 cases have been reported so far. Countries reporting cases of infection are Martinique (4 cases), St Vincent (1 case), Guyana (1 death), Jamaica (2 cases), Dominican republic (5 cases), St Barths and St Martin (3 cases) and Cuba (3 cases).

Three persons in the Virgin Islands were tested for the virus but returned negative results.