In a statement released on Christmas Eve, Premier Fahie indicated that neither he nor Dr Wheatley are experiencing any adverse effects of the virus at this time.

“I want the public, from Districts One to Nine, to know that I am in good spirits. I am feeling as normal as can be, and I continue to perform my duties and responsibilities as Premier remotely. I am pleased to report also that the Deputy Premier is also feeling strong and is also expected to have a full recovery. He also continues to perform the duties of his office remotely. To all this I say to God alone be all the glory,” Premier Fahie stated.

“I have also been advised that due to being fully vaccinated and having recently taken the booster shot, this has contributed to my immune system being in the best possible position to ‘fight off’ the virus and its possible negative effects; thereby giving me the best chance for a full and fast recovery,” he further explained.

Premier Fahie said health officials had prompted him to get tested because he had come in close contact with someone who had recently tested positive for COVID-19.

The leader of government’s business learned that he was positive late Friday afternoon, December 24.

“Following the Health protocols and in an effort to assist with contact tracing, all my recent contacts were reported to the Health Officials. My entire family was also tested but all results received thus far are negative. Due to the aforementioned results, I am following the instructions of the Health Professionals to isolate for 10 days,” Fahie stated.

“At this time I also want to ask for Prayers for all of our brothers and sisters in the Virgin Islands who have also recently tested positive. The current numbers show that just over 140 persons in the Virgin Islands are now on the active positive list. Let’s Pray to GOD for a speedy recovery for each of us as the Deputy Premier and I are part of those numbers. To the families who have to spend this Holiday Season as their first Holiday Season without their loved ones, especially those lives that were loss due to COVID-19, we ask God to be their refuge and strength during this difficult period. May the Peace of GOD be with them and us all,” the Premier added.

He continued: “We must remember that COVID-19 is fluid, and neither the Virgin Islands nor any other country in the world is out of the woods. Let us, therefore, increase our vigilance and adherence to mask-wearing, social distancing, and hand hygiene. I am encouraging everyone, in the words of the Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronald Georges, if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, I am pleading with you to call the medical hotline at 852-7650, that is 852-7650. We must be vigilant for symptoms and strict about staying at home to limit the spread of the infection.”

“If you think you have contracted COVID or are exhibiting the symptoms of COVID please immediately self-isolate and seek to be tested by either a PCR or rapid COVID test. You can access PCR testing at the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital Tent by registering at https://althea.bvi.care and by calling the Medical Hotline at 852 7650 if you have any symptoms of COVID. Alternatively, private medical establishments also provide PCR testing, and rapid antigen type tests.”

News that Premier Fahie has tested positive for COVID-19 comes at a time when COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the territory. There are currently more than 100 active cases in the territory; the vast majority of which are on the main island of Tortola.