Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL), said that health measures including case finding, contact tracing, monitoring and quarantine efforts to reduce exposure and mitigate the effects of COVID-19 in the territory, are achieving its desired results. Photo: GIS/File

Hon Carvin Malone said the Government has spared no expense in preparing the facilities and in purchasing the equipment and the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to fight COVID-19. Photo: GIS/File

The Minister made the comments yesterday, May 5, 2020, when announcing the Territory's seventh positive case. The infected individual had been in quarantine after exposure to another positive case.

Keep doing part - Hon Malone 

"These efforts have been aided tremendously by your compliance with the curfew, social distancing, hygiene and sanitisation measures implemented over the past weeks. By doing our part each of us continues to assist in interrupting the transmission of the virus," Hon Malone said.

According to the Minster, as the phased internal re-opening of the Territory continues to be rolled out and preparations made for borders to re-open, the importance of continued adherence to measures will reduce the risk of transmission.

"The health and well-being of the people of the Virgin Islands remain our number one priority. We will continue our efforts and strive to mitigate the negative social and economic impacts of this pandemic. This novel coronavirus can only be countered with a Novel Social and Economic Programme that would be articulated by our Premier," he said.

In the latest statistical update, he said a total of 132 COVID-19 tests have been done in the VI with 125 persons deemed negative, 7 found positive, 3 recoveries, 3 active cases, 1 death and 13 persons currently in quarantine.

Safety depends on actions taken 

"It cannot be said often enough that your personal safety, as well as the protection of your family, co-workers, customers, frontline workers, neighbours and friends of all ages, heavily depend on the actions you take every day to adhere to the various Public Health guidelines.

Hon Malone said the Government has spared no expense in preparing the facilities and in purchasing equipment, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to fight COVID-19.

As such, he urged persons with any symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, muscle aches, or difficulty breathing to call the local Health Hotline at 852-7650.