UPDATE: Tests negative for Coronavirus in Guadeloupe; BVI awaits results

*According to reports from La Première, the suspected cases of coronavirus in Guadeloupe have all tested negative; the BVI is still awaiting the results of their suspected case as of the publishing of this article.*

Earlier, La Première had reported that a family of 3 were under observation after one family member stayed in an area infected with the coronavirus.

The family was asymptomatic (exhibiting no symptoms) but had been put under observation by health officials to assuage any concerns about virus infection.

The suspected case came on the heels of a dramatic increase in confirmed cases in France.

The number of french cases had doubled on Thursday (27th February) where the number jumped from 18 to 38 from the previous day.

This sudden increase had sparked greater attention from both the general public and officials in France and french territories.

Meanwhile, various media had reported that there was a suspected case of the coronavirus within the British Virgin Islands.

The media outlets had earlier claimed that certain “high-placed” sources had confirmed the suspected case.

BVI officials publicly stated that there were no confirmed cases in response to the rumours.

The premier of the BVI Andrew Fahie later that same day (Thursday 27th February) at an impromptu press conference explained:

“We have a case in terms of a person who had entered the BVI that was coming from away [and who] showed some symptoms that created concerns. And since then, the person has been tested and quarantined,”.

Fahie further stated that initial testing was done and the person placed at their home for observation, additional samples were taken and sent to Trinidad for testing.

Read more on Guadeloupe case

Read BVI news report

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

16 Comments

  1. Concerned
    February 29, 2020

    I am happy for the updates on other countries and the virus. I need an update on the news that was last published on the Haitians with tubercolosis who escape from the princess Margaret Hospital. What is going on?

  2. AA
    February 28, 2020

    The important thing is to wash hands with soap and water, cough or sneeze in elbow,use tissue and throw them away, do not use rags or pieces of cloth and do not touch eyes.
    I know it sounds scary, but we all can do our part. Think of this as a bad cold…you get sick and get well again. Children under 10 are unlikely to get affected. The people at risk are the old and sick. we survived chikengonia we can survive coronavirus.

  3. What If?
    February 28, 2020

    So here is the question we must answer: now that the coronavirus is possibly in Guadeloupe and, reports from the US are suggesting two people got the coronavirus without traveling to China or any of the affected countries, my question is, WHAT IF, the coronavirus is already in Dominica and maybe even took live (s) in Dominica but no one detected it? Remember this thing was first detected in December of 2019. The other thing the experts are telling us is some people died from coronavirus without the symptoms. You see that China / Dominica hospital??? That’s all I will say for now

  4. Bwa-Banday
    February 28, 2020

    :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: You know these comments have me laughing in French.
    @ Simple: Skerrit don’t give a damn about giving Dcans masks. He sent all he could to his masters in China but Dcans here planing to tie mousshuweh around their mouth and nose. Good for us. Labay -Kar-Twavaye!

    Hospital doh even have enough paracetamol much less for Corona, Heineken or Red Stripe medicine. If is me that is Skerrit as soon as the we confirm the first patient in Dca I taking Hon. Gravity and my children and off to safety somewhere.

  5. Paskie
    February 28, 2020

    I’ve been ranting about this for a long time. Ppl, buy your masks now. Don’t wait until it gets to dca. Get surgical masks and gas masks. Ppl prepare for the worst. Our population is small, if it passes its rage on dca it will wipe us out. Can’t trust the hospital, look they make 2 Haitians infected with TB escape on their watch. Who knows how many dcans got infected bc of them. Take care of yourself my people. Wear your masks.

  6. Simple
    February 28, 2020

    So when is skerrit going to distribute mask for de people in DA. When all mask finish?. We need to prepare in the event it reaches our shores. I well brace with mask eh already. He send for china when china manufactures themselves.

    • Jammie
      February 29, 2020

      So why u cannot buy your own masks and protect yourself.

  7. Goodwill
    February 28, 2020

    Considering the pattern of spread of this disease , it is just a matter of time before it gets to our shores. The ferry goes regularly to the French islands bringing French visitors to Dominica. The rate in France is growing. We should start screening now to prevent the spread not only from the French Islands but from other parts of the world.

  8. As I see it
    February 28, 2020

    That thing knocking closer to Dominica and the bad thing is, we cannot even well take care of a basic infection. Boy let’s now our knees because things not looking good

    • Trouble I see
      February 28, 2020

      The frightening thing is, we don’t know who has coronavirus and our government is very careless and doesn’t care about protecting us. The deadly coronavirus was first discovered since December 2019, in Wahun China, where many have been infected and died in China since and has now spread it’s wings in over 30 countries. Dominica is like a colony of China as many Chinese have arrived here on a daily basis, since December 2019 and yet, nothing has been put in place to test these Chinese or anyone who visited the affected areas. Now that demon is in Guadeloupe, an island with so much traffic to and from Dominica. Not only that but we just had our carnival and sadly, many of our visitors were from Guadeloupe. No, I am not trying to discriminate against any country but my problem is, with the threat of coronavirus, why , for the sake of our health cancel carnival this year? Instead Pm is boasting of a successful Carnival while the health minister bragging on we ready to test. Look trouble

  9. My money
    February 28, 2020

    Those people lying to D@mn much..starting from the top. DCa is the first and we have no equipments? Eh. The same mouth say we getting equipments soon so how can we be the first when we have no equipments. Allu playing with people lives eh.

  10. Ras B
    February 28, 2020

    Really? Was that a misprint? Samples from the suspected case in BVI was sent to Trinidad 934km away for testing whilst D/ca the first Caribbean island to test for the Coronavirus is only 482km away!! Interesting?

    Do we have the required skill set and kits to test for and confirm the presence of the virus? After all Dr Irvine Macintyre told us on February 11 that Dominica will be the first country in the Caribbean to test for the virus. Surely, after 17 days of experience we should be relative experts, yet BVI chooses to send samples twice the distance!!

    Is that an indication that our ability to test for the virus is not respected regionally or we never had such a capacity?

    Enquiring minds need to know the truth Dr Irvine Macintyre!!!

    • Gi
      February 28, 2020

      Strange. Thats exactly exactly what I was thinking.

    • Riv
      February 28, 2020

      I hope politics and lies are not at play with this one. This is not about an election and getting votes. Lives are at stake.

    • Christian
      February 28, 2020

      It’s interesting to note also that there is NO screening at ports of entry. Someone came in from China and the only question asked was from the customs offices about what was in her bag. Are we relying on the other airports to do the work ? What about arrivals from other islands ? We are in no way equipped to deal with this , hence the reason we should be severely proactive and ensuring no one arrives infected. Even the coast guard should be patrolling as we have so much back door entrants. Come on man. This is not a joke

    • Strong
      February 29, 2020

      That is BVI choice as to where they want to send their samples. They chose Trinidad instead of Dominica. The Health minister owes u no explanation for that. Go and ask the BVI minister instead.

      If a Dominican get infected (God forbids) and they cannot get proper treatment in Dominica, that will be something the minister would have to explain. What BVI government decides to do with their samples is not our concern. Free up the minister with pettiness.

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available