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by pltm
(PLTM) - The recent disclosure by St. Vincent and the Grenadines of preliminary positive COVID-19 test results that implicated the British Virgin Islands (BVI) appears not to be sitting well with Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon. Andrew Fahie.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines health officials on Friday said preliminary results show two new COVID-19 cases were imported from the BVI.
A release from the country's National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) stated that both new cases are returning nationals who arrived in St Vincent and the Grenadines on Saturday, September 5 from the British Virgin Islands (BVI) with negative PCR results.
"Friday’s positive results were for day six testing as part of the protocol for persons traveling from High-Risk countries such as the BVI,” NEMO stated.
Minister of Health and Social Development, Hon. Carvin Malone disclosed today, September 16 that Hon. Fahie has discussed the matter with the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and Grenadines, Hon. Ralph Gonsalves and his longstanding regional colleagues.
"Assurances have been given that, in the future, such announcements would be made only after confirmation of results by the Caribbean Public Health Agency, and not based on preliminary test results. Currently, we await final results from their medical professionals," the Minister stated.
Hon. Malone explained that the local testing was done in St. Vincent six days after arrival, and a full 11 days after both persons had tested negative through certified PCR testing in the Virgin Islands. Nonetheless, he said that the close contacts of both passengers that remain in the BVI have been identified and tested and will continue to be monitored over the course of the incubation period.
The Minister recalled a similar incident involving persons who resided in Jost Van Dyke.
An airline passenger travelled from the British Virgin Islands on July 15 tested positive for COVID-19 on arrival to St. Vincent and the Grenadines on July 18. This was revealed from preliminary testing.
This led to a full lockdown of Jost Van Dyke and widespread testing of the island. However, days later, the lockdown was lifted after health officials in St. Vincent and the Grenadines informed the BVI that confirmed results showed that the passenger subsequently tested negative for COVID-19.
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