Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone has reported that there are sixteen (16) new positive COVID-19 cases and ten (10) recoveries in the British Virgin Islands. 

This brings the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 to sixty-three (63) with fifty-two (52) active cases, two (2) hospitalised and 1 death recorded.

In his official announcement today, Honourable Malone highlighted the importance of detecting case 12 which has led the local lab at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital to test and process a record 1,823 persons, bringing the total number of persons tested for COVID-19 virus to 3,713 with 3,660 testing negative. 

He explained that the lab has the capacity to test 3,000 samples and efforts are underway and arrangement are being made to procure additional testing supplies to boost testing capacity. 

Health Minister Honourable Malone also addressed the emergence of the Sea Cow’s Bay Community Centre as a testing site to facilitate COVID-19 testing demands.

He said, “While testing for persons requesting certificates for travel and emergency admittance to the hospital will continue at the facility erected at the main hospital, the Sea Cow’s Bay Community Centre has now been fully commissioned as a temporary testing site for repatriates exiting quarantine and for persons identified through the process of contact tracing.”

Honourable Malone also empathised with all persons directly impacted by COVID-19 by extending well wishes and prayers to them for a speedy recovery. He made special mention of the two persons who remain hospitalised, stating that they both were treated for other underlying health issues and are now awaiting recovery testing.

Persons who are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 including fever, cough, headache, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, muscle aches, or difficulty breathing are encouraged to contact the Medical Hotline at 852-7650 to schedule an appointment for testing. The fee has been waived except for persons requiring results for traveling purposes.