Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

COVID-19 infiltrates USVI Dept of Health, other gov't arms

The coronavirus, which has been spreading throughout the US Virgin Islands community, has infiltrated the [US] Virgin Islands Department of Health — the branch of government leading the charge against the virus — along with other government arms. Photo: VIC
VI CONSORTIUM

FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- The coronavirus, which has been spreading throughout the US Virgin Islands community, has infiltrated the [US] Virgin Islands Department of Health — the branch of government leading the charge against the virus — along with other government arms.

On Thursday, July 9, 2020, Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion in a letter addressed to employees confirmed a positive infection at the department and said several other government agencies had recorded infections. 

"Department of Health family, it has come to our attention that one of our employees have tested Covid-19 positive at the Department of Health, St Croix location. Our exposure to COVID-19 increases daily as the territory’s numbers increase; thus, several of our local agencies have experienced a number of positive cases. Unfortunately, one of our staff is now affected," she said.

"We want to provide support to them and their family as this of course is a difficult time. Please note that the person is stable and recovering at home. Also, all close contacts have been notified to ensure their safety. The Department’s Division of Epidemiology will test all VIDOH team members and a testing schedule will be arranged through Division Director."

Virus affects USVI Legislature

The virus has also affected the USVI Legislature, with Senator Alicia V. Barnes postponing a committee hearing scheduled for Thursday because of the exposure. "Unfortunately the coronavirus has impacted our office family, as such we are left with no choice but to postpone the committee meeting," she wrote in release issued to the media.

DOH on Thursday night announced nine new coronavirus cases, bringing the territory's total confirmed cases to 153, with the health department tracking 60 active cases.

There were 53 cases pending as of Thursday, and DOH said 87 individuals had recovered from the deadly virus.

To date, 3,679 tests have been performed, 3,370 of which returned negative. Six people have died territory-wide, and two persons were hospitalised at the Juan F. Luis Hospital as of Thursday, with Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr confirming one requiring ventilator assistance.

On St Croix, three infections were community spread-related, three through travel, and one close contact. On St Thomas, there was one case related to travel and the other close contact, according to DOH's latest infographic.

4 Responses to “COVID-19 infiltrates USVI Dept of Health, other gov't arms”

  • oh boy (10/07/2020, 20:22) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    That will happen with you all because you all in the U.S.V.Is behaving just like Trump. Ignorant and illiterate.
    You all think that you all are Larger than life..
    • bvi (11/07/2020, 07:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ oh boy...stop talking like that. They are our close neighbors and families as well, This could happen to any country, maybe some stuff just needs a little tweaking, that's all. Just take off the front names (British, United States, Spanish) and we are all Virgin Islands. Go sit down and stop kicking people while they are down.
  • custom-paper-writing.com/blog/essay-writing-guide (11/07/2020, 11:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The theme about Covid-19 is becoming more and more popular. Unfortunately, the cure for this virus is not invented yet. I hope, that it will happen soon. Also, if you want, you can visit custom-paper-writing.com/blog/essay-writing-guide .
  • oh boy (11/07/2020, 14:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is not the matter of them being our neighbor or brother. It is clear to see their conduct. It is reflective of some states on the main land. I believe that they could have taken more preventative measures.
    I hope you know that this is one of the main reasons our borders are still closed.
    We all just have to make a little sacrifice. Do you really think that they are thinking about their neighbor or brothers, hell no, i don't think so.
    Anyways let's pray that all goes well.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.