The Ministry of Health on Sunday, March 28, 2021, had indicated that an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 attended a funeral held on Saturday, March 27, 2021, at the Sea Cows Bay Methodist Church.

Online Q&A session

However, while health authorities hosted an online panel session entitled ‘COVID-19: Ask the Experts,” last evening, March 30, 2021, via the Government of the VI Facebook page; they were reluctant to share details on the funeral case.

Leading the panel were Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL), Chief Medical Officer Dr Irad Potter, along with Special Advisor to the Ministry of Health on legislative policy, Dr Ronald E. Georges.

According to Dr Potter, responding to questions posed from the audience, the case is a medical situation, and as such, they would not discuss it; however, he encouraged persons who attended the event to get vaccinated if they have not.

Meanwhile, our news centre was informed by reliable sources within the Ministry of Health that the person who tested positive for COVID-19 had been given a 'certificate of release' to attend the funeral.

Leading the panel included Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (Top Right), Chief Medical Officer Dr Irad Potter (Bottom Left) along with Dr Ronald E. Georges (Bottom Right).

Contact tracing initiated

So far, the close contacts of the individual who tested positive at the funeral has been identified and traced, according to Dr Georges. He said; however, persons should isolate if they have attended the event and schedule a test.

Dr Potter confirmed that persons vaccinated 4 weeks ago would not need to isolate but would still need to get tested for the virus by calling 468-2285 (7-6) between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.

Health authorities also indicated that they are in possession of a roster of persons who would have attended the funeral, to further aid with contact tracing.