Fake News! 2 returning locals test negative for COVID-19
No positive cases
“The Ministry of Health is advising the public that a party of two nationals, shortly after arrival on returning to the Territory, were tested for the virus that causes COVID-19.
“I am pleased to report that both results were returned as negative,” Honourable Malone stated in a live COVID-19 update to the Territory this evening, June 28, 2020.
The Health Minister said the decision to conduct the test at the beginning of the 14 day quarantine period, resulted from reports reaching the Ministry of health that the two travelers had reportedly been exposed to the COVID-19 virus while overseas.
Fake News!
The announcement virtually dismisses BVI News’ report as fake news.
BVI News had said: “Highly-placed sources told our news centre that the individuals were travelling from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic when they were tested in-transit and found to be carriers of the virus.
BVI News understands that they arrived on Seaborne Airlines at the TB Lettsome International Airport on Saturday, June 27 after another airline, who reportedly administered the test, denied them from travelling on their aircraft.
The persons in question were classified as asymptomatic, meaning they were showing no symptoms of COVID-19,” BVI News erroneously reported.
It is unclear at this time if the two locals are considering legal action against BVI News.
PCR testing
Meanwhile, Hon Malone said Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing at Dr D. Olando Smith Hospital was carried out upon arrival as a precautionary measure to verify whether any two of the persons under investigation were currently carrying the virus, although neither of them had exhibited symptoms of the disease.
According to Verdict Medical Devices, PCR tests are used to directly detect the presence of an antigen, rather than the presence of the body’s immune response, or antibodies. By detecting viral RNA, which will be present in the body before antibodies form or symptoms of the disease are present, the tests can tell whether or not someone has the virus very early on.
Hon Malone also reminded that the re-entry protocols also require both travelers to be retested at the end of the 14-day quarantine period before being approved to exit their quarantine facility.
The Minister added that the established port health procedures for the handling of suspected cases were followed at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on arrival of the flight that carried both passengers, in compliance with international health regulations.
“Our airport is open. Our people are coming home after a long wait. It is likely we may have people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 when returning. We have protocols in place for dealing with such occurrences,” Hon Malone assured.
268 nationals returned; 169 tests done
He said to date 268 nationals have returned to the VI since the phased border reopening.
Some 169 of the returning residents have been tested and all have returned negative results.
167 persons have been approved to exit the quarantine facility.
Meanwhile, 110 persons remain in quarantine, which includes 99 nationals and 11 immigrants who recently entered the Territory illegally.
As of June 26, 2020, 439 persons were tested in total.
The Virgin Islands remains COVID-19 free.
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25 Responses to “Fake News! 2 returning locals test negative for COVID-19”
Did the news site call names?
They ready to put there damn knees and island people neck. when the news says( 2 Local ) now they see how island people strong , and will always be on top of things may God be with you all i love island people.
people may be soon running around tortola like chicken with out head .and that would be me.