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COVID-19: Stop the stigmatisation- Hon Fahie

- urges VI community not to stigmatise the Filipino community because a member tested positive
Prior to comments from Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI) H.E. Augustus J. U. Jaspert that those found guilty of spreading rumours about the latest COVID-19 death victim could face charges, Premier and Minister of Finance has urged the community not to stigmatise victims. Photo: GIS/File
In his latest situation update broadcasted on Sunday, April 19, 2020, Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) confirmed that one new person out of the 22 samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) returned positive. Photo: Internet Source
In his latest situation update broadcasted on Sunday, April 19, 2020, Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) confirmed that one new person out of the 22 samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) returned positive. Photo: Internet Source
DUFFS BOTTOM, Tortola, VI - Prior to comments from Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI) H.E. Augustus J. U. Jaspert that those found guilty of spreading rumours about the COVID-19 victim, who died on April 18, 2020, could face charges, Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had urged the community not to stigmatise victims.

"We cannot bad talk the Filipino them because one of them tested positive, we have to stop this as a nation. They are human beings no matter what happened with it, no matter how it went down, that's not what God wants for this country," Hon Fahie said. 

The Premier was at the time speaking during the Seventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HOA) at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom, Tortola on April 17, 2020.

After it was announced that a Filipino woman had tested positive for COVID-19, some persons used social media to make speculations and hurl abuses at the victim and the Filipino community.

"Yes, we might not like how certain things happen, yes certain things might not gone how we like, but it is what it is," Hon Fahie had said. 

Controlling COVID-19 community spread

Meanwhile, Hon Fahie, in the latest situation update broadcasted on Sunday evening April 19, 2020, confirmed that one new person out of the 22 samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad and Tobago returned positive.

The samples were taken from the 52-year old Filipino female who passed away and those in her immediate environment, confirming that community spread of the virus is now a factor.

Hon Fahie indicated that aggressive contact tracing will continue so that authorities can identify and locate other persons who may have been in contact or close proximity with those who tested positive.

"We will not relax our hands, we run the risk of the virus gaining ground, and this must not happen," he said.  

The Premier also noted that the latest confirmed positive case is now in isolation and the Territory prays for the individual’s full recovery.

21 Responses to “COVID-19: Stop the stigmatisation- Hon Fahie”

  • GG (20/04/2020, 12:15) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    They really need to! Sad for her family can’t even mourn without discrimination. If it was a blacked colored like us or a local would they have attack her the same?
    • @wow (20/04/2020, 12:41) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
      If it was a black local or if they were born on the piece of formed volcano rock, it would have been hush hush. RIP lady.
    • black boy (20/04/2020, 13:19) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
      WOW is right, if the person was black specifically local we won't be hearing anything thing from the administration about discrimination: how can describing a person or persons simply by their actual ethnicity be classified as discrimination: you are black, white, african, asian, European, Oriental, island man or local: give me an example of one hate crime in our territory: however in the USA/Europe black people are physically abused simply because of color & race: this territory have over 100 different nationalities living here in harmony and there have never been a hate crime in this BVI: the locals come under far more scrutiny by police and now the the administration simply because of levels of conversation...
    • black boy (20/04/2020, 13:19) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      WOW is right, if the person was black specifically local we won't be hearing anything thing from the administration about discrimination: how can describing a person or persons simply by their actual ethnicity be classified as discrimination: you are black, white, african, asian, European, Oriental, island man or local: give me an example of one hate crime in our territory: however in the USA/Europe black people are physically abused simply because of color & race: this territory have over 100 different nationalities living here in harmony and there have never been a hate crime in this BVI: the locals come under far more scrutiny by police and now the the administration simply because of levels of conversation...
      • We are all human. (20/04/2020, 14:12) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        You are 100% wrong about everything. We shouldn't be classifying people based on those characteristics.

    • Same treatment (21/04/2020, 07:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I don't believe there is any stigmatisation. I recall 2 local faces and their workplaces going viral on social media. It's the same treatment...yes it was wrong for all.
  • Hmm (20/04/2020, 12:20) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply

    I wonder how that pig C*** R**** J*** feels now such a shame. If it was a family member of hers she would’ve want people feeling sympathetic for her.

  • Binocs (20/04/2020, 12:22) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    I’ve seen some comments a young man he’s a durante I think from BelleVue made rejoicing her death. Just heartless
  • Dr Seuss (20/04/2020, 13:16) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    I keep hearing about stigmatising, attack ,photos ,cyberactivity in regards this woman but I have not seen or heard or know anyone who has. The whole world is open and forthcoming about the identities of the victims of this pandemic. Andrew you guys set the tone, Perhaps if you all were open andtreated info as public then folks wont be successful in revealing what is not hidden,,,From the PM of the UK across all levels of society and the globe their status with the virus is out in the public.. Stop the secrets. You guys are the ones insinuating with your halftruths and no disclosure,that victims of this pandemic should be stigmatized. Even the identity of the" experimental drug is a secret. How are we to make an informed decision about having it administered if ,god forbid, we are hospitalized....Ooooh that's right.... the cause of our death will be another half truth hidden bold face nancy story.
  • Madness (20/04/2020, 14:13) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Premier; what about the 5th victim who is hospitalized and is not doing well; what about our rent and bills that are outstanding; what about the ppl who are hungry and will not get food because you are not recognized in the district or not qualified to get food according to the requirements, what do we do?
  • Trumpet (20/04/2020, 14:28) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Trying to deflect criticism. Change the subject a bit. Andrew admit it was a bad idea and move on. Set us free from this modern day slavery
  • sir (20/04/2020, 14:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr Primer don't let the man district u please people will never stop talk because talk is cheap let him go and find out if this woman was over staying
  • guy hill (20/04/2020, 14:40) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    People need to stop. Pray for healing of the Territory and the wider world. Covid19 does not discriminate. This racial reference need not become a conversation. We are after all ONLY human.
  • @wow and@@wow (20/04/2020, 14:42) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Give it a rest.
  • same here (20/04/2020, 14:55) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply
    I have not seen or heard the discrimination they are talking about. What I am reading is more discrimination and hate against the locals. There is a witch hunt in progress against the locals and that is putting it mildly.
  • People talk (20/04/2020, 15:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thats what they do.... Whats new.. . U all keeping it alive..
  • Well Well (20/04/2020, 15:54) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    How did the public become aware of the nationality of the lady who passed away?

    The Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) today confirmed that a 52-year-old female believed to be a Filipino national, succumbed this morning to what authorities believe is a COVID-19 related death.
    Quoting VINO


    • My girl (20/04/2020, 18:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The Premier said it last week, but you know BVI is small... it's not going to be a secret.
  • wondering (20/04/2020, 17:57) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Boston Globe newspaper today has 16 full pages of obituaries. Names and family members and stories of each and every Coronavirus death. SIXTEEN. Are we never going to know the name of the first person to lose their live to the Coronavirus in the BVI?
  • So what (21/04/2020, 00:37) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    What is the big deal? The public have a right to know so that they will be careful. Look if every body know who is infected then we can go get ourselves check if we know we were in contact with that person. When the Prince got infected it was publisized so what this individual is not better than the Prince. You all just like to cause confusion.


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