No COVID variants of concern found in BVI — Chief Medical Officer
Samples returned from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) have revealed no variants of concern, and more importantly, no traces of the much-feared Delta variant of COVID-19 in the BVI.
This news, which the Acting Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Ronald Georges delivered recently, offers some degree of relief to residents but left lingering questions about the root causes of the rapid spread of the virus across the territory in recent weeks.
In his update to residents, Dr Georges sought to offer some answers to the question of how the BVI got to an “explosion of cases” that left it reeling from more than 1,600 new positive COVID cases and 25 related deaths in less than a month.
He explained that there was a spate of mass gatherings that included graduations and parties where persons were not observing health protocols; including mask-wearing and social distancing.
We have to blame ourselves
Dr Georges emphasised that there was a need for personal responsibility and strict adherence to public health measures for the BVI to emerge from its current situation.
“During that time, we were able to have sufficient contacts with persons to cause this explosion in cases in the BVI, without a new variant. So, we can’t blame a new variant – we have to blame ourselves,” Dr Georges said.
The CMO said a lockdown has not been implemented because persons are expected to be responsible to police themselves and do what is needed.
He recalled that even though there was a lockdown last year, thousands of persons continued to move around the territory in various capacities. This time around, he said persons should simply follow the stay-at-home order in place and not leave their homes unless absolutely necessary.
Rapid testing
The CMO also shared that rapid testing for the virus was being introduced at the ports for vaccinated travellers.
The BVI is receiving technical assistance from the US Virgin Islands so that they can share how rapid testing was rolled out in that neighbouring territory.
Dr Georges said officials are also exploring an expansion of the BVI’s testing regime. This will see essential workers, contacts of positive patients, and other categories of persons getting tested.
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So the USVI confirmed a few days ago that the Delta variant is over there and we really think it’s not here? We see how many people died here in just two weeks and no variant of concern is here? WOW! When COVID initially started nobody was ending up in hospital, now the hospital is overloaded they are saying it’s not as a result of any worrying variant. So whatever swept through here in the last month is not really COVID then, is that what you are saying?
You ask too many questions.
Observe the protocols and keep your mouth shut.
We just had over 2,000 cases. How many samples were analyzed for virus type? And, will more samples be sent for analysis, or did someone decide not. Not so long ago, the claim was everything was under control becuase there was only 1 or 2 positive tests.
can’t believe it. Some better double check those tests. Thats right we can’t test here has to go to T & T
QUESTIONS WERE MADE TO BE ASKED AND ANSWERS SHOULD BE GIVEN / UNLESS YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRUTH ( OH CAN YOU LET US KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH (?) QUESTIONS /\\_ PLEASE ENLIGHTEN US
25 people passed. What happens if dat Delta variant comes here. We need to just get on with vaccines. I am scared we all think it’s ok now but it can’t be
Why no information every day? I want to be tested more to know I am safe.
Sorry Doc, please tell the people the TRUTH!!! The variant is in the vaccine! Trials of AstraZeneca were done in UK, South Africa, Brazil, and other. Where did variants first show up? In those countries with trial runs.
Active numbers in the BVI began to rise when? When the vaccine began to be administered. Are you sure the variant is not already in the vaccine?
Do not be too complacent. Be vigilant.