Minister of Health and Social Development, Honorable Carvin Malone, in a live press conference announced, that in just forty eight (48) hours the BVI has detected another COVID-19 case. This brings the Territory’s total reported cases of COVID-19 to twelve (12).
Honorable Malone explained that the patient arrived at the emergency room with moderate symptoms of the virus. The patient was subsequently admitted and is currently isolated and hospitalized at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital.
It was revealed that the patient is residing legally in the Virgin Islands and has no history of recent travel out of or into the Territory.
Due to the fact of the patient has had no recent history of travel, this case is not classified as imported and the BVI Health Services Authority has begun its efforts of aggressive contact tracing and are conducting investigations into the origin of the case.
The BVI Health Authority have took a number of proactive steps to safeguard the institution and the community:
• Visitation hours and privileges at the Dr. D Orlando Smith Hospital has been suspended.
• All staff members coming into contact with the case has been traced and is being assessed.
• Analysis is being conducted to determine the level of exposure by each contacted staff member.
• The apartment building at which the case resides is being quarantined.
• Aggressive contact tracing of all close contacts of the individual has commenced and is being accelerated.
• The bars and night clubs to which the individual has frequented has been identified and would be contacted for further contact tracing.
Members of the community are reminded of the importance of adherence to the established guidelines of social distancing, personal hygiene, wearing of face mask, and hand washing.
Businesses are admonished to consistently adhere to the protocols under which they were approved to operate by the Environmental Health Division.
If persons are experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19 which may include ; fever, cough, headache, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, muscle aches, or difficulty breathing. Contact the Medical Hotline at 852-7650 to schedule an appointment for testing.