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USVI senator attends function despite testing positive for COVID-19

- reportedly said he doubted he was positive because he had no symptoms
US Virgin Islands (USVI) senator Marvin A. Blyden is under fire for refusing to quarantine for 10 days despite testing positive for Covid-19. Photo: VIC
US Virgin Islands Senator Marvin A. Blyden reportedly twice tested positive for COVID-19 on the same day. Photo: Internet Source
US Virgin Islands Senator Marvin A. Blyden reportedly twice tested positive for COVID-19 on the same day. Photo: Internet Source
VI CONSORTIUM

FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- US Virgin Islands (USVI) senator Marvin A. Blyden tested positive for Covid-19 twice on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, first at the USVI Legislature and a second time through a test performed at the USVI Department of Health. The senator had sought the second test, he said, to ascertain that he had indeed contracted the virus.

Following the positive tests, Mr Blyden was advised by the Department of Health to quarantine for 10 days, and the senator was unable to attend a Senate session scheduled for Friday, September 17, 2021.

However, instead of quarantining for the 10 days recommended by the Department of Health, Mr Blyden on Saturday night, September 18, 2021, attended an entertainment function at Tillet Gardens in St Thomas, where a local band was playing with roughly 70 people in attendance. This immediately placed dozens of people at risk of contracting Covid-19.

Home test returned negative

Mr Blyden, a veteran senator who is currently the Senate majority leader, confirmed to the Consortium Sunday afternoon that he had tested positive on Wednesday twice, first by a test performed at the Legislature, and later the same day at the Department of Health.

He also said he was told by the Department of Health to quarantine for 10 days.

Mr Blyden flouted the DoH protocol because he said he performed a third test at home which the senator said returned a negative result. The alleged third test gave Mr Blyden the clearance he sought to attend the entertainment function, which he attended using a government-owned, Legislature vehicle LEG 5.

'I don't have no kind of symptoms'

"I did test positive during the Committee of the Whole, and I told them that's crazy because I don't have no kind of symptoms — how would I be positive. I told them that's wrong," Mr Blyden said, referring to the positive test at the Legislature. He said he then went to DoH to get tested a second time and that result returned positive the next day, which was Thursday.

"Yes, the test did show positive," he said. Mr Blyden said he asked DoH whether the department could verify when he contracted the virus, and he continued to contend that he should have had no symptoms. "That's dangerous. If you take the vaccine and don't have no kind of symptoms, that's a problem because you could be infecting people if you don't test everyday."

The Consortium reminded the senator that some individuals who contract Covid-19 are asymptomatic, meaning they exhibit no symptoms.

Senator Blyden was unsatisfied with the test results from the USVI Legislature and DoH, so he performed home tests, according to the senator. He was asked to provide those results to the Consortium, however, the one result that Mr Blyden provided showed a date of July 16, 2021. Mr Blyden asked that the test result not be shown to the public.

'I had a very important meeting'

Asked why didn't he simply follow the Department of Health's guidance of quarantining for ten days, Mr Blyden said it was because DoH could not tell for sure when he contracted the virus. Asked whether the department was simply taking all precautions by recommending the 10-day quarantine, he said he quarantined until Friday — for two days.

The senator wanted to know who revealed his whereabouts to the Consortium, a request we would never grant. He then said, "I had a meeting, man. I had a very important meeting. I had a very important meeting with someone."

According to the USVI Department of Health, anyone who knowingly exposes others to Covid-19 could face punishment of fines or imprisonment. 

As of Saturday, September 18, 2021, the US Virgin Islands had 206 active Covid-19 cases territory-wide: 144 on St Croix, 59 on St Thomas, and 3 on St John, according to DoH.

So far 67 people have died from the virus in the territory, including 44 on St Thomas, which has seen the overwhelming majority of deaths related to the virus.

9 Responses to “USVI senator attends function despite testing positive for COVID-19”

  • one eye (20/09/2021, 15:38) Like (18) Dislike (4) Reply
    This is shameful
  • Gametime (20/09/2021, 15:41) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    We get on with it imprison him he break the law
  • question (20/09/2021, 16:27) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    Is he vaccinated? He said, "If you take the vaccine and don't have no kind of symptoms, that's a problem because you could be infecting people if you don't test everyday." Simply, those that are vaccinated don't feel they can get the virus or spread it. In fact, they are not even tested. That's part of this sad campaign. Why you harassing the Senator now?
  • Vi citizen (20/09/2021, 19:02) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    He know he tested positive and still attend the function. He should be fired.... and drive himself in the government vehicle. The keys should have taken from him and send him home. These people in power are so damn respectful.
  • stt (20/09/2021, 19:58) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Don’t worry, he will be handled. He will be kicked to the curb in the next election.
  • Ah hell no (21/09/2021, 05:43) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    LOCK HIM UP.
  • award (21/09/2021, 08:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The 2021 Caribbean's Idiot of the Year Award goes to........

    Next time you test positive, do one at home, and go with that result. If you don't have a kit, don't worry. Bleach, filter paper, some incantation, and your favorite libation after.....NOT
  • Health (21/09/2021, 10:14) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    I saw something from Health here showing that vaccinated Civil Servants can go to work if they tested positive for Covid once they are not showing symptoms. If they have symptoms then they self isolate. If symptoms develop while they are working they are to report it. But the unvaccinated even if they test negative they still have to isolate for 14 days. So leave the Senator alone. He had Covid but no symptoms
  • Forbidden Truth (24/09/2021, 07:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is one ignorant individual.


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