Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Fake News! WhatsApp message circulating that VI confirms case of COVID-19

A WhatsApp message stating that local radio station ZBVI 780 AM has announced that the Virgin Islands has recorded its first confirmed case of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been deemed as ‘fake news’.
The WhatsApp message reportedly began making the rounds today, March 20, 2020.

“The BVI has just announced/confirmed its first case of the virus via ZBVI,” the WhatsApp message read.

Minister for Health and Social Development did not respond to our request for a response on the WhatsApp message; however, ZBVI was quick to debunk the claim.

“I want to make it categorically clear, on behalf of the radio station, that ZBVI Radio has not made such an announcement…the situation is clear that the British Virgin Islands is still without a case of the coronavirus,” ZBVI presenter Zan Lewis stated on the radio airwaves.

False information can have damaging effects- Premier

Late February a rapidly circulating WhatsApp message had falsely stated that the VI had a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Noting that government had to take urgent measures to counteract the WhatsApp rumours about the presence of the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the territory, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had said false information continues to spread faster than facts in the Virgin Islands.

Using the Opportunity to reiterate his Government's Computer Misuse and Cyber Crime (Amendment) Act of 2019 as necessary, the Premier said there is a possibility that the false messages and its content could destabilise the country economically and socially.

The Premier warned that people stop spreading false information and messages without facts and said that someone would be made an example soon.

Whilst unpopular amongst media watchdogs, section 14A of the Cybercrime act proposes criminalisation of anyone using a computer to send “grossly offensive” or “menacing” messages “for the purpose of causing annoyance or inconvenience.”

The fines for that offence can reach as high as $500,000 and jail terms of up to 14 years.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×