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WHO expresses concern about level of inaction towards pandemic COVID-19

- VI government intensifies preventative & precautionary measures
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
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
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
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- As the number of cases and deaths continue to pinnacle from COVID-19, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the disease a pandemic, while accusing many countries of inaction.

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.

16 Responses to “WHO expresses concern about level of inaction towards pandemic COVID-19”

  • wow (12/03/2020, 10:17) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    I couldn't believe my ears the other day when I heard a big hardback 67yr old man when he said black people can't get the virus. I can't imagine some people can be so foolish to spit such crap out their mouth
  • focus (12/03/2020, 11:10) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a biological warfare. This is the WW3 everyone was awaiting back in January when the confusion was going on with Iran. What no one is going to tell the public, that while they’re in a panic focusing on DIS-EASE, they should actually be preparing for the recession that’s about to hit. Take cash out of the bank and keep it at home. Stock up on water and food supplies. We depend heavily on imports as our food source and once they close those borders for two months what will we do? While the chances of us contracting the virus is unlikely, none of us can escape the economical mayhem on the horizon.
    • ... (12/03/2020, 15:23) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      Remember people did this same thing back in 2016 when Ebola broke out, I do recognise that COVID-19 is different, but we'll be fine.

      Also what evidence suggests that Iran has a role in this?
      • @... (12/03/2020, 19:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        The stock market is plummeting, the evidence of a recession is clear as day. No one said Iran had anything to do with the virus, I simply stated that the WW3 that they thought would happen would be physical violence on behalf of Iran, instead it turned out to be biowarfare planted in China. My point is they were in outrage about the wrong thing.
  • ... (12/03/2020, 11:13) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    College students overseas ...summer break soon approaching...going to be a nasty summer
  • Divajs (12/03/2020, 11:17) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need to provide the proper protective gear for the folks at the hospital and clinics to wear when checking for the virus. They have to be careful also; many have families and can also spread it to their contacts
  • E. Leonard (12/03/2020, 11:25) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The WHO listed the Coronavirus as a global pandemic and is a serious public health issue that the VI must stay ahead of the curve on. Encouraging, led by the Ministry Health and Social Development, the government has been proactive in rolling out administrative and engineering actions to prevent, control and mitigate the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. Responding to Coronavirus outbreak is a public health, not a political issue. Thus,
  • geo (12/03/2020, 12:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Guyana is not Caribbean. South America Please. No deaths YET in the Caribbean
    • Watcha (12/03/2020, 21:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Guyana is accepted as a Caribbean country .. the only one that's part of South America
  • BvIslander, Maryland (12/03/2020, 12:10) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I had to drive to 5 different places to find hand sanitizer. Everywhere is sold out. My son goes to the University of Maryland and they made the choice to close down all University’s in Maryland for a couple of weeks. All flights out of Europe is ban from the US. The best thing to do is keep your hands clean, avoid people that cough in public, stay away from large crowds and instead of shaking hands, give the person a elbow bump.
    • elbo (12/03/2020, 12:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      elbo bump and thats where they sneezing I sticking to kicking...and leaving the shoes I wear out side outside and have shoes strictly for inside
  • E. Leonard (12/03/2020, 13:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The WHO listed the Coronavirus as a global pandemic and is a serious public health issue that the VI must stay ahead of the curve. Encouraging, led by the Ministry Health and Social Development, the government has been proactive in rolling out administrative and engineering actions to prevent, contain, control and mitigate the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. Responding to Coronavirus outbreak is a public health, not a political issue. Thus,
  • Elbow bump (12/03/2020, 13:53) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is when you tap the person with the outside of your elbow when you bend your elbow. I would prefer to give a elbow bump than shake someone’s hand. Don’t forget to clean those supermarket shopping carts handles.
  • facts (12/03/2020, 14:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Flu kills over 50,000 a year in the USA alone despite the flu shot, no panic. Flu kills 4,000 GLOBALLY, everyone run for the hills!
  • wondering (12/03/2020, 19:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    When are some of the people on here going to wake up, sooner or later. This is another Irma. The world is shutting schools, borders, working from home, Disney Land is Closed, Princess Cruises are halted, VirginCruises are halted, NBA, ABA on and on are stopped... Wake up BVI this could be worse than IRMA, Get it together folks. We have very limited medical help in the BVI and no country will take a Covid19 patient from the BVI. Covid-19 is not "the Flu". Please educate yourselves before it is too late... The info on Covid-19 is abundant to who ever searches for it..
  • NezRez (12/03/2020, 21:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why don't people just say hello instead of touching to greet one another. Elbow bump is so stupid because people are sneezing in their folded arm and the neck of their shirts. Just STOP TOUCHING!


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