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Tortola, British Virgin Islands — The Ministry of Health and Social Development of the government of the British Virgin Islands today confirmed that there are no cases of the Coronavirus Disease COVID-19 in the territory.
This comes on the heels of a scare last Thursday following a viral WhatsApp audio circulated here suggesting that there might be a case of the virus on Tortola.
Late Monday the USVI Dept. of Health announced three suspected cases had been identified in the U.S. Territory, and that specimens had been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing. Those tests results are still pending.
The British government later confirmed the audio report that a BVIslander who had returned home after traveling through an affected country was quarantined after exhibiting certain symptoms. Samples were sent to Trinidad and Tobago for testing.
In a statement this afternoon Incident Commander of the Health Emergency Operations Centre Dr. Irad Potter reported that as of March 4, a total of three (3) British Virgin Islands residents were tested by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and all results were negative for the virus that causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.
He said this includes a BVIslander who recently returned from an affected country and had remained quarantined at home in accordance with established protocols.
“No additional health information in relation to the testing of persons under investigation will be reported,” the statement said, adding, “however, the Ministry of Health and Social Development will continue to provide statistical updates and will alert the public immediately upon detection of the virus.”
