COVID screening exercises to be conducted in select communities across BVI this week
Health Minister Carvin Malone has announced that plans are underway to conduct COVID-19 testing in select communities across the territory.
This comes as the territory records five new cases of the virus and is now being classified as having clusters of COVID-19 cases.
In a live public broadcast minutes before midnight on August 24, Malone said: “Over the course of this week our hardworking health teams will be conducting community screening exercises in Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Sea Cows Bay and East End/Long Look. I encourage the residents of these areas to pay close attention to the details of these testing arrangements as they are announced via local media.”
Meanwhile, Malone said Cabinet has approved, ‘in principle’, a decision to lease premises that can be used as the testing facility to accommodate the increased testing demand associated with the contacts of the additional cases. These premises have not yet been identified.
He further said the same goes for the identification of alternative police custody facilities outside of police premises, subject to further advice from the attorney general.
Minister Malone insisted that the Premier Andrew Fahie administration continues to take a ‘comprehensive approach’ in their efforts to protect public health by investing millions and seeking out the best expertise across various disciplines.
“As the situation evolves, we must be prepared to change course quickly based on scientific evidence. Governments and health professionals cannot do this alone. It is also important to have active participation by every member of society. Among my worst fears has been the suspicion that certain persons in our community would favour greed over health and safety. This is the condition we have found ourselves in,” the minister stated.
The BVI has recorded a total of 26 COVID-19 cases to date. Seventeen is still active, eight have recovered, and one died from coronavirus-related symptoms.
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Should be total lockdown but economy could not go
down the drain. Solution: Modified lockdown. Nice to know also that government officials are still working by midnight last night. Good job!
Dos C****s is a petridish for covid virus. People not wearing masks and no social distancing at all. Probably they do not understand the english announcement by the govt.
Its time we realize the virus nah going anywhere. Its here with us and just like the Flu, HIV, Herpes, etc., we have to live with it.
Lockdown, curfew, etc do assist but to the detriment of economic activities and increased public fear/panic.
The Government has made a serious mistake by only doing testing in selected communities. This is the opportune time to do testing throughout the Territory. It is obvious that the main person has travelled from East. Road Town, Sea Cows Bay and Anegada, yet only a few places will be tested. Does the Government know where the people were from who frequented the bars during the time and after that person was at the particular bars? i do not think so. Therefore the wise thing to do was to try to do entire testing of the Territory.
This supposed testing that’s taking place in Anegada is beyond crazy! I hear they are not following the social distancing guidelines at all! There is no sign of the police and they close the clinic and have the workers up there at the testing facility! So if it have emergency where them goin go?
You could have some order and guideline for them people for the testing! You can’t go get tested without putting yourself at risk. Them gathered together in ah cluster and then want to take test. When the test come back negative, you done exposed yourself jack#@%! symptoms won’t show til days later!
Screen all the kids in EE who might have been exposed unknowingly. God help us.
Why lock down? What are we locking down from? How does locking down put us as risk?
The questions above can lead you to better understanding why lock down is more beneficial than the alternative to rely on the good nature of people ability to comply with rules and regulations for the next 2wks.
Is 2wks too much to ask to allow the territory to fight against COVID?