The British Virgin Islands has been classified as having Sporadic Cases of COVID-19 transmission by the Ministry of Health and Social Development.
The World Health Organization (WHO) in its March 16 Interim Guidance defines the Sporadic Cases of COVID-19 transmission scenario as a country that has one (1) or more cases, imported or locally detected.
The WHO also lists three other transmission scenarios for COVID-19 which are NO Cases which is a country that is not affected with the virus; Clusters of Cases, a country that is experiencing cases of clusters in time, geographic location and/or common exposure; and Community Transmission which is a country experiencing larger outbreaks of local transmission.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Irad Potter stated that the Ministry of Health and Social Development is continuing aggressive efforts in contact tracing strategy and although the number of cases remains low, persons are encouraged to call the hotline to receive medical advice for testing if they are feeling unwell.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone in a statement on April 29 highlighted that the British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority was to receive additional supplies to enable the Territory to ramp up testing significantly to detect and contain any remaining cases of COVID-19.
Persons who may have come in contact with a possible case or in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 or show any symptoms such as a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, headache or recent loss of taste or smell should remain at home and seek medical advice by calling the medical hotline at 852-7650.