Tortola, British Virgin Islands – As the government of the British Virgin Islands deliberated on Sunday about the conditions of the extended curfew arrangements in light of the territory’s first reported COVID-19 death a day earlier, test results from the Caribbean Public Health Agency CARPHA confirmed a 5th positive case of the virus here.
The new case was among the samples sent to CARPHA on Friday and is someone who came in contact with the deceased. This brings the total number of positive confirmed cases in the BVI to date to five. Of that number, there has been one death, one patient is now in isolation, while three have fully recovered.
As a result of these developments, government announced an extension of the 24-hour curfew until April 25. Businesses were already preparing for a planned phased reopening on Monday April 20.
Under the new curfew order, provisions are made for approved gas stations to open solely for serving essential service workers. Supermarkets, bakeries, pharmacies and water production and delivery services, LPG and home delivery services, commercial farmers and fishermen, would also be allowed to do deliveries.
Provisions are also made for persons engaged in legal and financial services and wholesalers to operate. Private and commercial boats are prohibited from moving within the territory’s waters except where authorized.
All other businesses not specified are to be closed for the duration of the extended curfew period.
Premier Andrew Fahie, following cabinet meetings over the weekend, announced that $2 million will be allocated to the Health Emergency Operations Centre from the government’s consolidated fund for food provisioning. Persons in need, in particular seniors, should call 284 852 7688.
The premier assured residents that government will be financing basic food packages to be delivered district by district to those in need and those out of work as a result of the virus. He told persons on Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke that barges of essential supplies will be delivered to them.
“No one under my watch as Premier and Minister of Finance in this territory will go hungry during the extended curfew period,” he declared.
In another cabinet decision, $800,000 was allocated for house-to-house garbage collection and a recycling initiative.
In lauding the collective efforts of his government and others, the BVI leader reiterated that the mission is to prevent the loss of lives and reduce and control physical interaction between persons, “so we slow down, reduce and hopefully eliminate the likelihood of the virus moving from person to person.”
“We are all sadly aware that the British Virgin Islands has not been spared from the ravages of this deadly disease,” said Health Minister Carvin Malone.
In confirming the local numbers, he also reported that 181 persons are still in quarantine.
“The health surveillance team continues to conduct screening and monitoring in order to detect any active case of the disease that may not have been detected to date,” Mr. Malone said. Persons experiencing fever with cough or difficulty breathing are encouraged to contact the medical hotline - 284 852 7650.
With respect to online ordering, he announced that a mobile application with location services using the GIS mapping technology, will shortly be made available to enhance the efficiency of the delivery system.
The Health Minister said the Social Development Department continues to deliver specialized assistance to seniors and highly vulnerable households, in collaboration with the Red Cross and Family Support Network. Social workers can be contacted at 284 468 9371 or 284 468 9384.
Advertisements
