STATEMENT GIVEN BY THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

HONOURABLE CARVIN MALONE

ON THURSDAY, 10^TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE – ONE NEW CASE AND TWENTY NEW RECOVERIES

I bring greetings to everyone and thank you for joining us as I bring you another status report on the Territory’s COVID-19 situation and response. 

Your government wants to reassure you that we are leaving no stone unturned in combatting the issues surrounding this latest spike. We are increasing resources and implementing new measures to ensure the health and safety of us all. This course of action is crucial as we continue to find the right balance between health, safety and the strengthening of our economy. It takes a team to get this done!

Before I go any further I must take time and give GOD thanks for his Grace and Mercies especially during these challenging times. I will also like to thank all my elected colleagues, Cabinet members, public officers and you the people of the Virgin Islands for your patience and support. Truly, we are in this together.

Since my last update on Monday the 7^th of September, we have continued to make steady progress in our concerted effort to contain the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 in our community.

Over the past three weeks our Health teams have been able to quarantine, monitor and test hundreds of primary and secondary contacts of persons who recently tested positive for the coronavirus. As of today, the 10^th of September, over 4,000 persons have been tested at our local laboratory.  One new confirmed positive case was detected on the 9^th of September, bringing the total number of recorded cases to 64 with 53 active cases.  The most recent person to test positive was a young child associated with a previously detected case, and we pray for their full and speedy recovery.

I am pleased to report that twenty (20) additional persons have now been confirmed as fully recovered from COVID-19, hence reducing our active cases to 33 persons. This is good news but please bear in mind that we are not out of the woods!

In summary, of the previously reported 64 cases there now remains 33 active cases, 30 recoveries, and one death.

Your compliance with the existing curfew measures has helped tremendously to limit the spread of the virus, which puts us in a stronger position to safely continue on our quest to reopen our society, our economy and our borders.

Given these positive developments, Cabinet will be meeting on Friday to receive a full briefing and consider policy decisions to further guide the way forward. 

Continuing on this positive path requires full and active cooperation from all of us.  We must remember to take personal responsibility and hold each other accountable for adherence to the Public Health measures that have been put in place to suppress and control the COVID-19 virus.

Once again we strongly urge all members of the public to comply with all established health and safety protocols and dial 311 to report any suspicious activity.  The Environmental Health Division and its newly revamped Social Distancing Task Force will be fully deployed over the coming days to actively monitor compliance and strictly enforce the Suppression Measures for businesses, other establishments, and all persons in public places.

These simple measures include handwashing, physical distancing, and wearing of face masks that cover your nose and mouth, but not the entire face.

I also remind you to contact the Medical Hotline at 852-7650 to be assessed by a health professional if you experience any symptoms related to COVID-19. Common symptoms include – fever, cough, headache, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, muscle aches, or difficulty breathing.

Thank you for your attention and your full cooperation.

For more information on the Territory’s COVID-19 response please visit the website www.bvi.gov.vg/Covid-19

Thank you for listening.