Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone reported nine new cases of COVID-19 in the British Virgin Islands.

This brings the total number of active cases to 26.

Honourable Malone made the announcement today, August 28, stating that a total of 529 persons were tested from August 25 through the 27 and comprised of persons mainly primary and secondary contact of Case Number 12 through Case Number 26. 

He stated, “As contact tracing efforts continue to bear fruit, the nine newly identified cases were linked to known clusters on the eastern end of Tortola and in Road Town.  Persons testing positive for COVID-19 have been placed in isolation and their households and other close contacts placed in quarantine as case-finding and testing activities expand.”

He also explained that 520 of those results returned negative while 9 returned positive which totals 35 recorded positive cases in the Territory, with 8 recoveries, 1 death, and 2 persons currently being hospitalised who are not experiencing severe symptoms of COVID-19 disease at this time.

Honourable Malone also highlighted that all 292 residents of Anegada who were tested as part of the community screening exercise on August 25 had negative results and all travel restriction to and from the island had expired at 5:00 a.m. today as provided in the Imposition of the Curfew (No. 28) Order, 2020.

“On behalf of the Government and the entire COVID-19 response team, I wish to thank the residents of Anegada for their cooperation during this unnerving period and encourage them to continue taking precautionary measures against the spread of COVID-19 in their close knit community,” Honourable Malone said.

The total number of tests conducted in the British Virgin Islands now stands at 2,853. Persons who are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 are encouraged to contact the Medical Hotline at 852-7650 to schedule an appointment for testing. Common symptoms include fever, cough, headache, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, muscle aches, or difficulty breathing. 

NOTES

Photo 1:1-Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone. (Photo credit: GIS/file)