COVID screening exercises to be conducted in select communities across BVI this week
Health Minister Carvin Malone has announced that plans are underway to conduct COVID-19 testing in select communities across the territory.
This comes as the territory records five new cases of the virus and is now being classified as having clusters of COVID-19 cases.
In a live public broadcast minutes before midnight on August 24, Malone said: “Over the course of this week our hardworking health teams will be conducting community screening exercises in Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Sea Cows Bay and East End/Long Look. I encourage the residents of these areas to pay close attention to the details of these testing arrangements as they are announced via local media.”
Meanwhile, Malone said Cabinet has approved, ‘in principle’, a decision to lease premises that can be used as the testing facility to accommodate the increased testing demand associated with the contacts of the additional cases. These premises have not yet been identified.
He further said the same goes for the identification of alternative police custody facilities outside of police premises, subject to further advice from the attorney general.
Minister Malone insisted that the Premier Andrew Fahie administration continues to take a ‘comprehensive approach’ in their efforts to protect public health by investing millions and seeking out the best expertise across various disciplines.
“As the situation evolves, we must be prepared to change course quickly based on scientific evidence. Governments and health professionals cannot do this alone. It is also important to have active participation by every member of society. Among my worst fears has been the suspicion that certain persons in our community would favour greed over health and safety. This is the condition we have found ourselves in,” the minister stated.
The BVI has recorded a total of 26 COVID-19 cases to date. Seventeen is still active, eight have recovered, and one died from coronavirus-related symptoms.
In a live public broadcast minutes before midnight on August 24, Malone said: “Over the course of this week our hardworking health teams will be conducting community screening exercises in Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Sea Cows Bay and East End/Long Look. I encourage the residents of these areas to pay close attention to the details of these testing arrangements as they are announced via local media.”
Meanwhile, Malone said Cabinet has approved, ‘in principle’, a decision to lease premises that can be used as the testing facility to accommodate the increased testing demand associated with the contacts of the additional cases. These premises have not yet been identified.
He further said the same goes for the identification of alternative police custody facilities outside of police premises, subject to further advice from the attorney general.
Minister Malone insisted that the Premier Andrew Fahie administration continues to take a ‘comprehensive approach’ in their efforts to protect public health by investing millions and seeking out the best expertise across various disciplines.
“As the situation evolves, we must be prepared to change course quickly based on scientific evidence. Governments and health professionals cannot do this alone. It is also important to have active participation by every member of society. Among my worst fears has been the suspicion that certain persons in our community would favour greed over health and safety. This is the condition we have found ourselves in,” the minister stated.
The BVI has recorded a total of 26 COVID-19 cases to date. Seventeen is still active, eight have recovered, and one died from coronavirus-related symptoms.
