Health officials, private security deployed to home of Patient 12
By Kamal Haynes, BVI News Staff
Following last night’s announcement of the territory’s twelfth positive COVID-19 case, the apartment where the patient reportedly resides became a working ground for public health authorities this morning, August 20.
Watching the East End home from a safe distance just after 10:30 am on Thursday, BVI News observed health officials under a large commercial umbrella erected at the entrance of the apartment building in question.
Two of the health personnel were suited up in full-body personal protective gear before proceeding inside the home to presumably conduct COVID-19 tests on other members of the household.
Our news centre also observed a security officer stationed at the location. While the health officials were inside the apartment, the officer remained on foot at the entrance observing his surroundings as passers-by stared and, in some instances, stopped to observe the building.
After roughly 30 minutes, the two health officials returned from the apartment with a small cooler, which was placed inside a vehicle.
The officials then carefully removed their protective suits and placed them inside a bag while still wearing their face masks and gloves before leaving the property.
BVI News also observed a landscaper on site. And after noticing the activity, he proceeded to affix a face covering before de-bushing the area.
Do not panic, continue to follow health protocols
Our news station also spoke to the representative of the district where the building is located, Dr Natalio Wheatley. He said he could not comment on the matter because he was not yet properly briefed.
Dr Wheatley, however, encouraged residents not to panic but instead continue to follow the various COVID-19 health protocols to ensure they and their families do not contract the virus.
“In the BVI, I think we’ve done a good job of protecting ourselves so some persons still feel almost sheltered from COVID-19 and, of course, we see the media reports of what kind of damage its doing around the world. So I think it is natural for persons to be fearful and anxious,” Wheatley stated.
“But I think we just have to stay diligent and understand that anybody can get COVID-19 and anyone can pass it on and we just have to rely on what we do know which is handwashing and social distancing, which works,” the district representative added.
He continued: “We have to assume that it is in the community, that it is the person right next to us and it is not really to worry but to prepare so that we take all the precautions necessary to stop its spread and I think we are well-positioned in the BVI to stamp out COVID-19. But we just have to follow the protocols.”
Patient Number 12 is suspected to have contracted the virus via community spread since Health Minister Carvin Malone said the victim had no recent travel history in or out of the territory.
The patient is currently isolated at the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital in Road Town.
The BVI currently has a total of three active cases.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Community spread my A**. He probably was smuggled in and lying about it.
Why are these ppl not caring that they can eradicate an entire country with this thing? Isn’t anyone following up on the amount of deaths this thing has caused and is still causing? Our islands do not have a population that can take this. Why risk the lives of others like this? Sigh!!!
This news site strupes
No travel . Who is kidding who here ? Lots of traffic back and forth from the USVI .
It only took 1 case in Washington, USA …
I bet everyone who was in and out of that house and in contact with each other is SHAKING LIKE A LEAF WITH WORRY.
Every Community in the BVI have a carrier. You want to drink? Buy your S**t, take it home and drink all you want.
nobody answering how he got it , we demand answers now !!!!!!!
I still believe more people got this virus and the government kept it hush hush ….I don’t trust um from day one
Can someone tell me what the speed limit is in BVI?
I also believe there is more cases but it is being kept from us. I’m telling you, the only way I can feel a sense security is to continue following the protocols that was put in place. A lot of people went right back to not taking heed and they can’t blame anyone but themselves.
Don’t you see the government only report when persons come and do the test? How you expect them to know if you have the virus if you don’t go get tested.
Facts:
The RT-PCR Test does not test for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
Wearing a mask will not protect you from a Viral Infections.
COVID-19 Symptoms are the same as many other health conditions.
China: 47,779 listed COVID-19 deaths, 1.393 Billion people still living.
Worst Case Stat: 99.84% chance of survival if you catch COVID-19.
He know what he was doing.
The man live here for yearssssssss. He
helikes the strip clubs because he brought new girls in for the stripclub from the DR this is where they need to check, his family is on lockdown on another island
You see, the thing with us is that we ok with stuff until it hit us. When counting the low number of deaths, did it cross your mind that you can be counted in the stats? Or maybe someone close to you. Let’s not put this thing to the test.
On another note, for how people here does discrimiate and like news, it have people who prefer to die with their pride than go Peebles for the community to treat them like dogs. Anybody can catch corona any place. Even in chuch. No one is too good to get it and nobody ain’t get it because of who dem is. This little continent got to be the most I interesting place on this earth
Its not surprising that more of these cases will arise…even fake ones. The government will be footing the bill to quarantine returning nationals whereas the security is provided by a key member of the current government.
A means to creating an outlet for more monies to flow in their pocket is needed.
More cases coming…
No radar guns on island so…
Put the 12am curfew back in place. Bars should not be opened after 10pm. Put back limitations on gatherings. No boats on the water after sundown. Who doe hear must feel. Give y’all a little leeway and y’all making a muck.
Bars and strip clubs could eat? Shut them down and before they open sanitize properly. Wha strip clubs Doing here anyway