Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie has called on the public to be compassionate and not discriminate against persons who have tested positive for COVID-19, or who may be quarantined or isolated.

Premier Fahie said catching COVID-19 is not a crime. He said the disease is a threat to lives and does not discriminate. “So why should we?” he asked.

The Premier explained that it is important for people to continue calling the hotline to report symptoms.

“Please keep doing this. Early detection leads to early treatment and the protection of others. Let us not take chances. Every life is precious,” he said.

The Territory’s leader thanked persons who are encouraging others to be mature and not to discriminate against persons who are willing to come forward to be tested, those who are on quarantine, or who may have tested positive at some point.

The Premier explained that people must be compassionate and must continue to look out for each other, and give support where it is needed even if it is by a kind word, a thought or a prayer.

“We cannot tell by looking at someone whether they have COVID-19 or not; whether they are a carrier and is not showing symptoms. So, we have to move wisely. We have to interact differently,” Premier Fahie added. 

There is an aggressive contact tracing strategy ongoing in the Virgin Islands which has resulted in 189 persons currently placed in quarantine and one person in isolation at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital. Since the last update to the Territory on April 19, an additional nine samples were tested by CARPHA.  Eight of those samples were negative for the virus that causes COVID-19 and one additional positive case was detected.

This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases detected in the BVI to date to six, with three recoveries, one death, and two active cases. Ten additional samples are expected to be transported to CARPHA for confirmatory testing.

Persons experiencing a fever with cough or difficulty breathing, or other respiratory symptoms to call the Medical Hotline at 852-7650.