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1,049 active COVID-19 cases in VI; Omicron Variant confirmed- Hon Malone

-figure includes 109 healthcare workers now diagnosed as COVID-19 positive
Virgin Islands Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) moments ago has confirmed the presence of the Omicron COVID-19 Variant in the Virgins Islands (VI). Photo: GIS/File
Meanwhile, Hon Malone revealed that the latest surge in infections has had a significant impact on local healthcare workers with 109 infections. Photo: VINO/File
Meanwhile, Hon Malone revealed that the latest surge in infections has had a significant impact on local healthcare workers with 109 infections. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Virgin Islands Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) moments ago has confirmed the presence of the Omicron COVID-19 Variant in the Virgins Islands (VI).

The Minister’s announcements came during a Friday, January 7, 2022, COVID-19 update on the situation in the VI following a cabinet meeting today.

Hon Malone revealed the Omicron variant was found in samples sent at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for sequencing with some 12 of 25 total samples returning with the presence of the Omicron variant, as active infections in the VI has surged to 1,049 as of today, January 7, 2022.  

"We now have the presence of Delta, we have the presence of Omicron, we are sending additional samples down but with the fast-spreading nature of this virus, we were suspecting that Omicron was here we now have official verification that it is in our midst," he said. 

Cases 'too high' - Hon Malone 

Hon Malone added that from December 1, 2021, to today, the VI has seen 1,009 new cases in such a short period which he called ‘too high’ and 'not good' as Cabinet will now move to have another meeting on Tuesday, January 11, 2021, to discuss more mitigating measures. 

He said restrictions have also been announced relating to the number of persons who will be allowed to gather which would now be limited to 1 person for every 9 square feet up to 100 total persons. 

Meanwhile, Hon Malone revealed that the latest surge in infections has had a significant impact on local healthcare workers.

He said 109 workers are now infected and further revealed that the contact tracing department of the Health Ministry has been reduced to just two workers following COVID-19 infections in the department.

64 Responses to “1,049 active COVID-19 cases in VI; Omicron Variant confirmed- Hon Malone”

  • tell she (07/01/2022, 20:55) Like (15) Dislike (32) Reply
    Tell C***y if she want to be herd; use her voice for the betterments of the Community by asking her party goer’s to follow the rules. Tell her used her for something that’s actually affecting everyone including her children them that she doesn’t want to be tested!!
  • resident (07/01/2022, 21:07) Like (65) Dislike (6) Reply
    not even the vaccines can stop covid I am full vaxed and still infected
    • @resident (07/01/2022, 22:27) Like (46) Dislike (51) Reply
      Yes, but you would be feeling much worse if you weren't vaccinated.
      • @@resident (08/01/2022, 03:48) Like (23) Dislike (12) Reply
        I’m unvaxx for 2yrs and not even a sniffle. Just admit it you’ve been bamboozled
      • Not really (08/01/2022, 11:32) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        Not Necessarily...People have gotten it (Unvaccinated) and felt ok and some got it and it was the worst thing ever. Thats just how the human body works. Not everyone, vaccinated or not will have a bad reaction.
    • Madussa (08/01/2022, 00:55) Like (26) Dislike (8) Reply
      @ resident, so now that you know the vaccines don't work, will you still allow them to keep injecting you with their experimental poison? How many boosters will you take until you die from it? Look around you all who took it and are now sick. It is EXPERIMENTAL and they know there will be bad side effects, and that is why they have you signing a waiver that you won't sue them.....BIG RED FLAG!!!!
      • resident (08/01/2022, 12:03) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        its not poison but it aint a cure either, I am holding off on boosters since I now have some natural immunity
      • resident (08/01/2022, 13:14) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        i am going to hold off on the booster
    • fact (08/01/2022, 08:29) Like (12) Dislike (27) Reply
      It was never stated from day one that the vaccine would stop you from contracting COVID. You are alive and well enough to blog which means the vaccine served its purpose.
      • hmmm (08/01/2022, 12:54) Like (48) Dislike (0) Reply
        That's how they were sold to the public.

        Get vaxxed and you won't get COVID and you won't spread it.

        That's actually what a vaccine should do anyway.

        Then it changed to "reduce your chance of severe illness if you get it."

        The public have short memory spans and that's what the powers that be are counting on.

        Just like remember this time last year they were saying "mixing vaccines will give better protection", two months later the news was like, "dangerous trend of mixing vaccine". Reporters swore they had no idea where the idea to do so came from as though they didn't help propagate the idea two months previously. Now we got Pfizer boosters and AZ jabs and everyone's already forgotten what happened 10 months ago.

        This is why we can't have progress. No accountability and no memory. People willing to believe lies and comply because they think that's how they will survive.

        But they won't ever leave you alone. No one will be left alone until they stand up for themselves and demand better.
  • My girl (07/01/2022, 21:07) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    This is a spike
  • ok (07/01/2022, 21:10) Like (12) Dislike (18) Reply
    AND SO WHAT
    • To Ok (07/01/2022, 21:30) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
      And so wear a good well fitted mask when indoors in public spaces. Stay home if you are sick, or if you know you are positive for Covid (symptomatic or asymptomatic, vaccinated or unvaccinated). It is a Public Health Crisis. Behave as such!
  • Well (07/01/2022, 21:30) Like (18) Dislike (4) Reply
    Everywhere around the World COVID is roaring it’s ugly head. The only thing I can say is we all have to be careful and take care of ourselves and follow the protocols that was put in place. Don’t understand how this virus has taken over the World like this. Some say it is a man made virus like AIDS.
    • Thoughtful Sailor (08/01/2022, 11:05) Like (1) Dislike (18) Reply
      Why do you say AIDS was man made. It was NOT. It has been proven to have jumped from an animal species in the AFRICAN jungle, to humans, there, and then spread around the world. Be accurate, it’s serious!
      • To Thoughtful Sailor (08/01/2022, 13:17) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
        Thanks for correcting what “We’ll” said Re: AIDS which, as you said, is NOT a man made virus.
        It’s terribly scary that so many people believe and share false information.
  • Precaution (07/01/2022, 21:36) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    Lessen the number of staff in your offices. You can use teams so that everyone will not get contaminated at the same time. Be proactive.

    Some may not like it but it's the best thing to do right now.
  • FIRE (07/01/2022, 21:42) Like (22) Dislike (5) Reply
    Once again nothing about the regular flu, it could have been 4000 cases, anything can be said on the news
  • say so (07/01/2022, 22:11) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why they always acting like they the last to know. Everybody else was aware...I'm sure.
  • DEDE (07/01/2022, 23:13) Like (28) Dislike (6) Reply
    Of course health workers will be affected. Look where the booster shots are given. In the lobby area of the hospital. This encourages large gathering of person waiting for the vaccine. Staff, visitors and other persons have to navigate they this just to get services. It ridiculous. Who ever thought of this need their head examined.
  • Eat a food vip government (07/01/2022, 23:19) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    So what?
  • chickens coming home to roost (07/01/2022, 23:21) Like (46) Dislike (8) Reply
    If ayo wasn't so doggone harden and used to listen we would not have been in this mess now....To much parties and shows
  • SUPER SPREADER EVENTS (07/01/2022, 23:25) Like (49) Dislike (26) Reply
    Lobster fest, soca show, car show, premier's party, trellis bay, foxy's and cruise ships are all to blame......CURFEW TIME!
    • Jamdown (08/01/2022, 09:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I couldn,t have agree with you better . I wish I could have given you a shake hand. You hit the nail right on the head.
    • Secret Bear (09/01/2022, 00:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Or maybe if you’re scared, YOU can choose not to attend these events.
  • simple (07/01/2022, 23:26) Like (28) Dislike (7) Reply
    Who dont hear will feel
    • Bear face. (08/01/2022, 07:23) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      Some people that calling for curfew is those that lazy and don't have any responsibilities.. y'all think covid going anywhere for now. Just do the darn right thing and we all have nothing to worry about.
  • sheep (08/01/2022, 00:34) Like (16) Dislike (6) Reply
    Those booster shot caused the spikes. Right after Andre!w F. Got his booster, he caught covid. Wake up sheep
  • Ridiculous (08/01/2022, 00:54) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    You know why I so upset right now? They waited until after the very long holiday to decide what mitigating factors are to take place. It's true, most of these cases are because of social gatherings and because grown folks just do not listen, but the stipulations they now putting in place and will further announce on Tuesday should have been given from last week. This entire weekend past was an entire party...you guys were so silent then. While places around the world were trying to limit amd cancel activities Everything, we were promoting and silently condoning it. So it took the confirmation of multiple variants for you guys to come to the forefront and try go do damage control?! Carry on!
  • Madussa (08/01/2022, 01:10) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    Haven't you learned yet? This is the second time that people came out full partying after our numbers went way down, and now they are way up again because of all of your STUPIDITY. If we don't contain this from spreading any further, we will all be DOOMED, because our population is so small. Wake the hell up, wear your masks properly, not under your noses, distance, and stay home if you can. I still see people greeting each other with handshakes and hugs. You all are acting like immature adults suffering from arrested development. STOP THE SOCIAL GATHERINGS! GAWWWWWWWWWD!
    • Secret Bear (09/01/2022, 00:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Do you realize that Covid-19 is not going away and that we will all get it eventually? How long exactly would you like to put life on hold for a bad cold?
  • ta ta (08/01/2022, 01:39) Like (1) Dislike (9) Reply
    The bvi government has kept us safe
    • bull shiggidy (08/01/2022, 10:45) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      Kept us safe and allowed on those huge gatherings to go on? Why did the government allowed those shows and parties to take place?
      • @bull shiggidy (08/01/2022, 13:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        It’s called political pressure. Had they limited the activities, they would have been meted with even more criticism and condemnation. The business community (entertainment, restaurants, clubs, etc) would have gone crazy! They are pleased with the cash in the bank and believe that the government did the right thing for the economy despite the current draw back. That’s why they have been so quiet lately.
  • q (08/01/2022, 05:52) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    (BARRY SAY U WILL HEAR ! )
  • just (08/01/2022, 06:32) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
    Stay out of each other’s faces. Give each other their six feet of space. I have to constantly remind people to give me my space especially when I am shopping. I sanitize all my groceries when I get home before putting them away. I cringe the other day when I saw a man popping a few unwashed grapes in his mouth in the produce idepartment.
    • @just (08/01/2022, 13:14) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      I totally agree, home many people is taking off there shoes at the door and spraying them before walking in their homes? How many people is entering their homes and plopping down on their furniture in the dirty clothes they were in all day outside? How many people sanitize their groceries?
      • Secret Bear (09/01/2022, 00:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        No one, because that’s not how Covid spreads and we’ve known that for 2 years.
  • AS EXPECTED (08/01/2022, 08:11) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    The Government and people of the Virgin Islands took their freedom with very little caution. I hope it was WORTH IT. Take the latest figure and multiply it by three (3) and that might give you a more realistic number of what the figure is really like. There are persons out there who are sick but have not been tested. The clinic charges $70 if you go and ask for a covid test. This might seem as a little bit of money but it is a lot for many people. I would like to offer a suggestion to our government. Why not let testing be FREE for residents for the NEXT TWO WEEKS ONLY. Persons would be more willing to go out and get tested. The Health Services would have a better idea about what they are dealing with. You can revert to charging again after this period. Government and people of the Virgin Islands, please DO NOT be fooled into thinking that this is not a dangerous virus. IT KILLS. We do not want a repeat of last year death spree. Stay as SAFE as you can.
  • Str8 (08/01/2022, 08:15) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need to not take into consideration not just the spike,but how many persons are hospitalized. We need stop creating mayhem. If we go around to check for flu and the common cold, we will find about the same.Let’s just do what we need to do and stop panicking.
  • WOW (08/01/2022, 08:37) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    I got tested at 2 different places, at the hospital and at a private facility. The hospital result said ( abnormal! Positive) and the result from the hospital says Negative!! I did another test and was negative again. Not the health authorities sending me a certificate to say I have COVID and need to quarantine….
    • @wow (08/01/2022, 11:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I had the exact same experience.(Test result: Positive, Flag: Abnormal, Reference range: SARS-CoV2 not detected). After the conflicting results I undertook another PCR (at a private facility) and a DIY antigen - both negative. The gov emailed to inform me that I had tested positive and asked for quarantine plan etc. I immediately responded with my 2 negative tests and pointed out the conflicting result of the Peebles test - I then received a certificate of release from quarantine for having "fully recovered"... on the same day I supposedly tested positive.. even more hilarious is that I received another "fully recovered" certificate more than a week later.
  • Sheeple (08/01/2022, 09:02) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Just show people are high case number and you’ll send them into a frenzy. Fear is the number one tool for control. Especially if you can fudge the data, if you can move the numbers around, if they can label you a covid victim. You will herd people like sheep. Especially every flu season
  • double standard (08/01/2022, 09:13) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    when it was just the residence all manner of restrictions suddenly we open to accommodate visitors and bye went the restrictions

  • Part (08/01/2022, 09:20) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Do your part follow protocols if you think this is going away now I have news for you. We have to live with it don't be alarmed those numbers will continue to rise if we continue to play careless. Note shutting down is not the answer. The answer is being more responsible.
  • booster (08/01/2022, 09:57) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    The booster lasts 2 months. Are they willing to give boosters every 2-3 months. Is it even mathematically possible ?
    Good luck I don’t see why people are keep getting fooled. Why take a booster that lasts 2 months. They are now calling on all who took their second shot 3 months ago to get the booster. Omg and you all still asleep. Just know for Easter you have to get shot 4. Good luck with that
  • Will say this (08/01/2022, 10:31) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply
    HARDHEADED PEOPLE IS ONE OF MY PET PEEVES. SOMETHING HAS TO BE ENFORCED ABOUT THE LARGE GATHERINGS THAT IS ALLOWED TO BE GOING ON. IT IS TIME TO MAKE THE DECISION TO PUT THE ISLAND ON CURFEW. IS THIS HUMAN ELIMINATION TIME IN THE BVI OR WHAT.
    • No (08/01/2022, 12:25) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      It is time people begin to seriously accept there’s a virus around and behave responsibly. No matter how close, or how much you trust them, if someone doesn’t live with you, he/she/they isn’t/aren’t in “your bubble”. Wear your mask and they wear theirs. Protect each other if you truly care for each other. You go home- remove your clothes, air out, take your shower, then mingle with your bubble at home. If you coughing, sneezing etc. isolate for a few days while strictly adhering to the other protocols. Too much wreckless behaviours internally. The children aren’t the problem it’s the party poopers- get you all acts together man. You all messing up people’s living in the process, notwithstanding risking yourselves and others. It’s like speaking little children - grown behind people. This is past ridiculous, way way past ridiculous
  • musa (08/01/2022, 11:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    A healthy nation is a Whealty nation (bad and sad news )
  • Hmm (08/01/2022, 11:53) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    A lot of people going places not wearing mask and catch it and yet they would go next to unsuspected person a few days later and spread it so some people who dont go anywhere catch it unknowingly.
  • Hmm (08/01/2022, 11:59) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    I said it before health care workers know better and yet not adhering to safety which could save lives. I wonder how they feel spreading this thing to innocent people.
  • facts (08/01/2022, 12:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    covid is basically the flu
  • Dr.V (08/01/2022, 12:09) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply
    Thank you all unvaccinated persons for continuing this epidemic. Your continual denial and not trusting the people who know is a great service to us all. Please be as reckless as you have been so that this can continue for years. Your medical personnel appreciate the added, preventable, work load. By the way, masks have been protecting and saving lives long before this.
    • Secret Bear (09/01/2022, 00:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why are you blaming your vaccine’s failure to stop the spread on the people that didn’t get it?
  • Dino (08/01/2022, 12:16) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    @resident Being vaccinated and claiming you are protected is like someone with a big water pistol claiming to be ready to confront potential armed robbers.
  • BVIslander (08/01/2022, 13:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    When will the Government come on to let us know what is going on with school. All they said is “school online” May I ask FOR HOW LONG!!!! they need to give a date (Eg. 2 weeks) when that two weeks come and the cases drop they go back to school if not you add another week for online schooling. But they just have us sitting waiting it have other parents like myself whose staying home because we can’t take our child to work. Us as parents still have to make money to feed our babies and I can’t stay at home and make money!!!
    • I hear you (08/01/2022, 15:26) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I understand what you are saying but it is better to proceed with caution. Think about it this way - If they get seriously ill or hospitalized then you will not be to work still. Things will work out. Keep the faith.
  • Str8 (08/01/2022, 16:08) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why don’t we have more journalists asking questions during these press releases to get more answers to questions on hospitalization stats, health statuses of patients etc. I think testing should only be done if a person is experiencing symptoms, was exposed, traveling from or returning to the country. So many persons talking about lockdowns, the virus doesn’t just come out at nights. Locking down is very favorable when you can work from home. What about those who have to leave their home to make a living. I can’t see fishermen, farmers, construction workers etc. working from home. We need to think this thing clearly. Covid isn’t going anywhere in a hurry. The virus isn’t so much the problem, it’s person’s reactions and practices in relation to the virus-there is where the problem lies. Let’s think about the average Joe, whatever our decisions are.
  • wondering (09/01/2022, 08:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    When are people going to understand that ONLY KN95 masks can keep out the virus?


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