Several law enforcement officers within the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force have tested positive for COVID-19 while standing on the frontline to protect residents of the Virgin Islands.
This was confirmed by a joint statement released by His Excellency the Governor Augustus Jaspert and
Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone who said between Friday 28th and Saturday 29th of August, 16 persons tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19
The public statement said “as a result of contact tracing, members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force are being screened for the virus that causes COVID-19, and a small number of officers have tested positive. These officers have been removed from service and will remain in isolation until fully recovered.”
The health authority, within their established protocol has begun aggressive contact tracing. “All members of their households and other close contacts, including other police officers, are being quarantined and tested. Out of an abundance of caution, all remaining police officers are being given priority for COVID-19 testing,” the statement further said.
In order to minimise risk, the East End/Long Look and the Road Town Stations will be temporarily closed for deep cleaning and disinfection. However, other police resources have been put in place to ensure adequate coverage to protect those communities, enforce the curfew and maintain general law and order.
Our territory’s leaders further urged “persons who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, muscle aches or difficulty breathing are encouraged to contact the Medical Hotline at 852-7650 to schedule an appointment for testing rather than present at the hospital or any other facility.”
The newly confirmed cases brings the territory’s toll to (47) since the beginning of the novel coronavirus.
284 Media continues to salute members of law enforcement and all others on the frontline risking their lives to curb the spread of the virus, and takes this time to remind everyone to comply with the health protocols.