BVI News

Health Officials confirm that COVID Delta variant was in BVI!

Less than two weeks after Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Ronald Georges said residents could not blame the territory’s deadly COVID-19 outbreak on the delta variant, health officials have now announced that the variant was in the BVI.

At the peak of the BVI’s outbreak, the territory saw a little more than 1,600 cases and some 36 COVID-related deaths; all within an approximate six weeks.

In a release issued Sunday, August 15, the Ministry of Health & Social Development confirmed that one COVID-19 sample tested positive for the delta variant.

The CMO reported that out of eight COVID-19 samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for genetic assessment on August 4, one sample tested positive for the delta variant (B.1.617.2).

All other samples, the release stated, identified no variants of concern or interest.

Importantly, Dr Georges said the identified case had no travel history and the household in which that case resided included two other positive contacts.

He said one of these contacts met the criteria for sequencing and tested negative for the delta variant. 

“These cases and contacts were all quarantined and cleared in accordance with established protocols,” Dr Georges said.

No variants of concern found in previous samples sent to CARPHA

In a COVID-19 update to the territory a few weeks ago, Dr Georges said samples sent to CARPHA at that time did not show any variants of concern.

The CMO later said if the BVI had the delta variant during the recent outbreak, the territory could have expected to see three times as many cases, and three times as many deaths.

In an effort to help curb the spread of the virus during the outbreak, the BVI government instituted a curfew order and instructed several business establishments to remain closed during that period.

Most businesses have since been allowed to reopen as health officials continue to monitor cases.

In the meantime, the CMO has again advised the community to continue to take personal responsibility and adhere to public health measures and quarantine guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19. 

He said all positive cases should ensure they follow the isolation guidelines and continue to take every opportunity to get vaccinated.

According to the latest reports from health officials, active cases have since fallen to 46 persons with some seven persons currently hospitalized with the virus.

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15 Comments

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  1. heckler says:

    We already knew that they were lying thru their teeth from day one

    Like 14
    Dislike 6
    • Doubt says:

      Give them the benefit of the doubt maybe they first set of results they get back from the small portion that they send for testing were not delta. From the 1602 cases just a few samples were sent to get tested.

      Like 14
      Dislike 3
      • fool says:

        He just went straight to comment section when he read the headline. Do you think he read the news? No! He is a hater! He is close minded. LOL!

        Like 3
        Dislike 3
    • So says:

      So what is your point?

  2. Common sense says:

    I could tell the chief that delta was here.
    What else would have explained the dramatic turn in events?

    Like 15
    Dislike 1
    • 1EYE says:

      Yes but Science isn’t based on common sense. It’s based on research, testing, & evaluating the data. It is not based on assumptions. So they couldn’t report what they didn’t verify yet. Capiche?

      Like 6
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      • @1EYE says:

        Thanks. Tired of these rants from the local scientists. Now we were advised of the CARPHA findings, B.1.623 covid variant. Now do a lil digging and you’d find that this particular variant is prevalent in Santo Domingo et al……..I sall say no more. Happy belated Father’s Day to all

        Like 2
        Dislike 1
  3. SWD says:

    Health need to STFU. Tired of them

    Like 6
    Dislike 2
  4. Sad says:

    Sad to say them all lie from Andrew down this is a money making thing the CDC SAY IS THE Fully vaccinated people is the high-risk ppl build up your immune system start to eat healthy

    Like 5
    Dislike 6
  5. ???? says:

    Was or Is? Did it leave? Some of these Headlines!

    Like 5
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  6. Anonymous says:

    Was? How can it be shown it’s no longer here?

  7. @ wa says:

    This present darkness is fueled by evil don’t get it twisted. A lot of people are in for the shock of their life when they realize that they have been had. The world is at war using GENETIC BIO WEAPONS. Sounds crazy but if you connect the dots you will see the picture.

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  8. sly says:

    was hummm, did it walk out ?

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