This is according to Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL).

“There are currently nine persons under investigation (PUI) and are under quarantine awaiting results from CARPHA,” he said in a statement on Wednesday March 25, 2020 to announce the Territory’s two first cases of COVID-19.

He continued: “Here in the British Virgin Islands, our epidemiological summary is as follows: There are 27 persons total who have been tested for COVID-19; of the 27, 25 persons have tested negative and two tested positive. There are 107 persons currently on self- quarantine due to their level of risk.”

Doing it right

The Minister said, locally, testing, containment, quarantine, contact tracing and follow-up strategies, are on-going and are being carried out around the clock in accordance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) technical guidance.

“The Ministry of Health and Social Development has: Assessed the readiness of our health facilities to meet the anticipated increase in demand on services. Continue to address existing gaps, including those with respect to additional supplies and equipment; although, at this present time, we have enough personal protective equipment on the island for our health facilities,” he stated.

Additionally, respiratory medicine is also ‘adequate’, and health care providers are continuously trained he informed.

“The Government of the Virgin Islands is urging the public to adhere to infection prevention and control measures as this will be key in reducing the spread of the virus. Practice simple everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of the respiratory virus,” he concluded.

$12M approved

The Government of the Virgin Islands has approved the withdrawal of $12M from the Reserve and Contingency Funds to prepare for COVID-19, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) stated.

The funds are to ensure that the Territory receives testing kits, four new respirators and to prepare quarantine for high-risk patients with the virus.

Meanwhile, Hon Malone revealed that some 300 test kits had been made available, and with the additional monies, his ministry ordered 5,000 more.