The Virgin Islands (VI) have recorded four new cases of HIV for 2026 so far. Photo: Internet Source

Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronald Georges released a statement on HIV, Sexual Health and Personal Responsibility in the Virgin Islands on August 20, 2026. Photo: GIS/File

Sexually active persons should get tested if they have unprotected sex, even in a committed partnership; have a new or casual partner; have multiple or overlapping partners; engage in transactional sex; or otherwise believe they may have been exposed. Photo: Interner Source

Persons diagnosed with HIV are urged to remain in care and protect others. Photo: Internet Source

This was revealed by Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronald E. Georges, in a statement on HIV, Sexual Health and Personal Responsibility dated August 20, 2026. 

Interconnected sexual network; no outbreak

According to Dr Georges, public-health investigations have identified interconnected sexual networks and behaviours that create opportunities for HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) to spread. 

“These cases are not presently considered an outbreak, but the findings reinforce the need for increased awareness, testing, prevention and personal responsibility.”

The CMO reminded that a person may have one sexual partner but still be connected, through that partner, to several others. 

“When partnerships overlap, and condoms are not used consistently, an infection can move through a network without anyone knowing how they are connected. Your risk depends not only on your partners, but also on their partners.”

Know your status & use protection

Dr Georges added that knowing your status brings a responsibility to others, as a person who knows, or has good reason to believe, that they carry HIV or another STI, and who then has sex without disclosing that risk, without using protection, or without following treatment advice, places their partner’s health in danger. 

He reminded that deliberately or recklessly exposing another person to infection is a serious breach of trust and, depending on the circumstances, also carries legal consequences. 

Therefore, sexually active persons should get tested if they have unprotected sex, even in a committed partnership; have a new or casual partner; have multiple or overlapping partners; engage in transactional sex; or otherwise believe they may have been exposed. 

Confidential counselling and rapid HIV testing are available through: Public Health Unit: 468-2282. And BVI Red Cross: 494-6349. 

Remain in care & protect others if HIV+ 

Dr Georges also cautioned that if anyone is contacted by the Public Health Unit, it does not automatically mean they are HIV positive or that they have done something wrong. 

“It means you may have been exposed and should be tested. Partner notification is confidential, and Public Health does not disclose who identified you as a contact.”

He also urged persons to remain in care and protect others if diagnosed with HIV. 

“HIV and many other STIs are manageable, but this depends on staying in care, complying with treatment, following clinical advice, notifying partners through the confidential processes available, and using barrier methods when sexually active.”