Following major speculations on the cause of the most recent covid-related death, Minister of Health, Honorable Carvin Malone has clarified that the victim died “with” covid-19 and not from it.
Minister Malone in speaking with our newsroom today said “It is our duty and our undertaking as a Government to make sure that the public is kept abreast and we have pledged to bring forward certain information regarding covid-19. One of our golden gems tested positive with the covid-19 virus. We did not indicate that they died from covid-19. Clearly, we didn’t know because no autopsy was done at that time and we couldn’t have said that.”
The Minister said the current hysteria was caused misleading headlines put out by a local reporter. Honorable Malone said “the news reporter was highly misleading and that lead the public into a frenzy”
DID THE FIRST VICTIM DIE FROM OR WITH COVID-19?
In light of the recent ambiguity, residents have begun questioning whether the first victim death was indeed covid-related. In response the Minister told our newsroom “in the first case official studies were carried out that confirms that the individual died with covid-19”
The victim was a 52-year-old Filipino woman with the disease who was fighting for her life in the isolation wing at the Dr. Orlando Smith Hospital.
WE HAVE DONE WHAT WE CAN SAYS MINISTER
The Minister reiterated that since the advent of this pandemic, the government has expended large amounts of money to outfit medical facilities and prepare health officials.
“We built a safe, effective facility at the airport, retrofitted an isolation unit, refurbished facilities at the seaports and brought in trained Cuban professionals to ready us for times like these”
“The government has also widely educated the public on the benefit of taking the vaccines and how that will speed up the bounce back of the economy. The government has done what it can to protect the people of this territory and now the people will have to do the same.”
The clarification precedes major contention from the BVI residents who believed that the Minister attributed covid-19 as the cause of the most recent death based on a recent radio interview.
However, upon careful consideration of the voice recording, the Minister in fact, highlighted that the woman died with the virus and not from it.
13,500 VACCINATED! 1,500 NEEDED BEFORE THE END OF JULY 3RD DEADLINE
Honorable Malone further said almost 40% of the population has received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Of that toll, 11,142 were administered in Tortola, 2,044 in Virgin Gorda, 107 in Jos Van Dyke & 146 in Anegada.
“It is important to note that we are seeking to reach 15,000. Why is this important? Well, we think we can get the British Government to send additional vaccines if they see our willingness to take it.”
The minister said based on the recent spike, this transmission seems to be more aggressive and official are looking into whether news strain may have entered the territory.
“Indications are that the confirmed cases will continue to go up. The recently confirmed carriers of the virus were everywhere; their jobs, graduations, public events. Persons were not adhering to the protocols and that’s the real issue here. We will continue to contact trace.”
The territory has confirmed an alarming 150 active cases of covid-19 over the last few days.
Today July 3rd, is the final day for residents to receive their first dose of the vaccine. Those requiring their 2nd jab must secure it before the July 31st expiration date.
The Minister said vaccines not administered by the July 31st deadline will be discarded.