Hon Malone’s commitment came in a public address last night, July 5, 2021, when he announced that the COVID-19 cases as of yesterday were 480 from just 273 active confirmed cases in the previous update on July 4, 2021.

While the data shows a staggering number of infections in a short period of time, the Minister reminded that the territory is well prepared to handle the upsurge.

“Your government has constructed physical facilities, purchased ventilators, purchased lab equipment, trained medical staff, recruited specialists from Cuba, upgraded our laws, established safety protocols, engaged social distancing personal and provided free vaccines compliments of the United Kingdom government,” he said.

Hon Carvin Malone’s commitment came in a late-night public address last evening July 5, 2021, where he announced that the COVID-19 cases as of yesterday was 480 from just 273 active confirmed cases in the previous update on July 4, 2021.

VI's investments will be put to use - Hon Malone

The investments, according to Hon Malone, was made for a time such as now. The minister also announced that sometime during today, July 6, 2021, the acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronald E. Georges will issue a community testing schedule for screenings to be conducted on Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Jost van Dyke.

“This schedule is comprehensive and will include exposure locations, testing dates, testing sites, and testing times. Persons of interest would be ably advised of exposure locations, the testing dates, the testing sites, and testing times,” he said.

“The forest has thickened,” Hon Malone further noted as he painted a picture of assurance that the VI can handle the new challenge.

He; however, reminded that to successfully take on the virus upsurge, everyone in the territory must do their part to follow the COVID-19 guidelines.