“While in the past weeks we have been informed that reported cases were discovered in persons who recently travelled into the Territory and completed testing on their day of entry (Day 0) or on Day 4; sad to say, that is not our present situation,” Health Minister, Hon Carvin Malone said on Thursday evening January 7.

He reported that as of January 7th, 114 persons have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus; 95 cases have recovered; 18 are currently active while one death was sadly recorded.

“Of the 18 active cases, five (5) are located on Tortola, 12 on Virgin Gorda and one on a marine vessel. There are six persons among the active numbers that are ordinarily resident in this Territory,” the Minister said.

He added that the remaining 12 are all visitors. Though not critical, one person is presently hospitalised at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital and is responding well to treatment.

The Ministry is currently investigating two (2) persons of interest from among the active cases. The minister said both of these persons tested negative and were cleared from quarantine on Day 4 but subsequently tested positive during their exit screening that was required for departure.

He explained that both individuals and their close contacts are under secured mandatory 14-day quarantine and subject to testing as directed by the Protocols.

Further, to date one of the persons of interest has three contacts that have tested positive for COVID-19 while others are scheduled for testing at the most appropriate time to detect the virus.

“It is also important to note that one of the persons of interest visited a number of establishments on Virgin Gorda and after an aggressive contact tracing exercise most of the close contacts have been identified, interviewed, quarantined and is being monitored,” he said.

The Ministry has reviewed each of the establishments and has determined that they are in full compliance with the appropriate protocols.

The Health Minister said that as an extra layer of security aimed at easing the minds of patrons and the general public, the Ministry of Health is asking persons who attended the New Year’s Party at Coco Maya Restaurant between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. to call the Ministry of Health at 468-2274 and 468-4936, or email covid19.virginislands@gmail.com to schedule a COVID-19 rt-PCR test. This request is for everyone who was in attendance, whether you live on Virgin Gorda or any other of the sister islands.