On Monday, April 6, 2020, Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone announced that 17 new samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad for testing came back negative.

Gov'ts strategy working- Gov Jaspert

Hon Malone said the VI’s overall number of cases remains low, with 3 confirmed via importation and no evidence of community spread.

He also said Government will expand surveillance and testing, provide support to all persons in quarantine and strictly monitor for development of signs and symptoms of COVID-19 disease.

According to Governor Jaspert, "This is excellent news and a relief for us all, particularly those who have been awaiting results and their family and friends... I am also encouraged by this news because it means that our Government’s strategy for containing the virus here in this Territory appears to be working," he said via a statement on social media on April 7, 2020.

"But we need to acknowledge that we’re not out of the woods yet," the Governor acknowledged, asking that the population continue to comply with the curfew and other measures in order to protect one another.

High Praises for Fahie Administration

Late last week, the Governor came under strong criticism by a social commentator for not giving the Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) administration enough credit for its strategies to fight the virus.

Honestly Speaking radio host, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline had also accused the Governor of trying to upstage the current administration in its COVID-19 fight.

Governor Jaspert, in his latest statement; however, spared no time to endorse the action plan of Hon Fahie, urging the populace to listen to the Premier and follow his advice.

"As the Premier said, we have one opportunity to get this right and the safety of the people of this Territory is our top priority. The Premier also set out scientific research that has identified how effective isolating ourselves can be in stopping the spread of this virus," he said.

Abide by curfew - Gov Jaspert

The governor also reiterated Premier Fahie's calls to abide by the curfew for the good of the entire Territory.

"If we all continue to stay in our homes, we can keep ahead of the virus in this Territory. We know that you will all be keen to hear what the plans are for the end of this curfew period," Governor Jaspert said.