TWO RETURNING NATIONALS TEST NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19, CONTRARY TO MEDIA REPORTS
Written by Fuze Team on June 30, 2020
Two BVI nationals who returned to the Territory on June 27 tested negative for the virus that causes COVID-19.
Reports made the rounds on social media and an online newsite that two returning nationals had tested positive. However, in a live update on Sunday evening, Health Minister Carvin Malone said that the returnees were tested shortly after their arrival after health screenings revealed them to have been exposed to the virus while overseas, and information reaching the Ministry of Health and Social Development suggested that they may have recently contracted the COVID-19 virus.
Local testing was carried out upon their arrival as a precautionary measure to verify whether any of the two persons under investigation were currently carrying the virus, although neither of them were exhibiting symptoms of the disease, and they were negative.
Hon. Carvin Malone, Minister for Health
He further explained that established Port Health procedures for the handling of suspected cases were followed at the T.B. Lettsome International Airport, in compliance with International Health Regulations. The procedure outlines that should any of the travellers were to test positive for COVID-19, they would be placed in isolation, actively monitored and treated by healthcare professionals until their recovery status is confirmed. If results are negative, then they will be retested at the end of a 14-day quarantine period before being released into the community.
