Malone skeptical about SVG’s new cases reportedly linked to BVI

Authorities in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) are claiming that two COVID-19 cases were recently imported from the BVI. But the territory’s Health Minister Carvin Malone has said he will not comment on the matter until these cases are officially verified.

On Saturday, September 12, SVG authorities issued a press release stating the country’s two latest COVID-19 cases are returning nationals who arrived from the BVI with “negative PCR results” a week earlier on Saturday, September 5.

The press release said these two returning nationals were tested days later and both were confirmed positive for COVID-19.

“These new cases from the BVI emphasise the great importance of strictly enforcing all of the protocols, including the quarantine orders and testing that are designed to protect all Vincentians,” SVG’s press release said.

SVG has produced false reports before so BVI will wait

However, in a Facebook post on September 12, Malone recalled a previous SVG report about imported COVID-19 cases from the BVI, which later turned out to be false.

As such, he said the BVI will wait for the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to confirm these new cases in SVG before he issues an official statement on the matter.

“BVI will take the high road, in the interim, until such time as this preliminary report is finalised,” Minister Malone said.

He added that he understands the concerns from many BVI residents who are asking for the government to make an official statement about the claims by SVG.

“An official response is warranted once finalized and so too it will be. Your concerns are taken seriously,” Malone assured.

SVG has recorded 64 COVID-19 cases, 61 of which have recovered. There are now three active COVID-19 cases in that country. Its government said it has gone to great lengths to “avoid the rising levels of disease seen in other Caribbean countries.”

Below is the full response from BVI’s Health Minister below:

“A number of concerned persons have inquired about the Press Release by the Government of SVG as it is the second such “Preliminary Report” issued re: returning SVG residents from the BVI.

The first of such reports, when finalized, was reversed when verified by CARPHA.

BVI will take the high road, in the interim, until such time as this preliminary report is finalized.

An official response is warranted once finalized and so too it will be.
Your concerns are taken seriously