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COVID-19 surge grips STT

-102 active cases on St Thomas
The St Thomas surge comes as COVID-19 restrictions are being gradually lifted both locally and on the federal level. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced earlier this month that fully vaccinated people don't need to wear mask or social distance inside or outside, in small or large settings. Photo: VINO/File
Governor Albert A. Bryan has encouraged US Virgin Islanders to to remain vigilant against COVID-19 by continuing to wear masks, social distancing and the avoidance of mass gatherings. He also urged persons to get vaccinated. Photo: Government of USVI/File
Governor Albert A. Bryan has encouraged US Virgin Islanders to to remain vigilant against COVID-19 by continuing to wear masks, social distancing and the avoidance of mass gatherings. He also urged persons to get vaccinated. Photo: Government of USVI/File
VI CONSORTIUM

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St Thomas, USVI- The surge in COVID-19 cases in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands (USVI) reported last Monday, May 24, 2021, by the USVI's top infectious disease official, Dr Esther Ellis, has grown by about forty new infections in the past few days, and the surge may now be affecting the [British] Virgin Islands as inter-island travel resumes.

According to the latest data provided by the USVI Department of Health, the USVI as of May 27, 2021, had 120 active Covid-19 cases, with St Croix accounting for 10, St John 8 and St Thomas 102.

Infection numbers 'trending in wrong direction'- Gov Bryan

During his Monday press briefing, Governor Albert A. Bryan said the numbers in St Thomas and St John were “trending in the wrong direction, and if the numbers are trending in the wrong direction on any one of our islands, there's a potential for them to trend in the wrong direction on all of our islands.” He urged Virgin Islanders to remain vigilant and continued to encourage wearing of masks, social distancing and the avoidance of mass gatherings. Also "take the vaccine now," he said.

The surge is occurring among unvaccinated individuals, with the latest increase in cases disproportionately affecting people in the accommodation and food service industries, said Dr Ellis. She also revealed that 50.2 percent of Virgin Islanders, or 39,871 individuals that are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination have received at least their first shot, while 39.9 percent (31,645 individuals) have been fully vaccinated as of Monday.

VI being affected

According to [British] VI National Epidemiologist Harmonie Massiah, several cases of the virus affecting the British territory were coming through the Road Town Ferry Dock, and VI health officials have been investigating predictive factors relative to persons traveling through said travel portal. Most Road Town Ferry Dock operations offer service between St Thomas and Tortola, including Road Town Fast Ferry, Native Son, Inter-Island Ferry and others, according to BVI Welcome.

Massiah, who was speaking during a recent press conference, said that there had been a surge in the number of reported cases in the VI around May 15, 2021, and this was predominantly through cases that have been imported.

The St Thomas surge comes as COVID-19 restrictions are being gradually lifted both locally and on the federal level. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced earlier this month that fully vaccinated people don't need to wear mask or social distance inside or outside, in small or large settings.

On Tuesday, May 25, 2021, Government House announced Mr Bryan's 24th supplemental executive order aimed at further easing COVID-19 restrictions — among them raising passenger limits on taxis and allowing patrons to sit at the bar in restaurants and clubs. The executive order also extends the eviction suspension through July 30, 2021.

15 Responses to “COVID-19 surge grips STT”

  • Winston (30/05/2021, 13:28) Like (34) Dislike (54) Reply
    If everyone would just get vaccinated the world will get back to normal.
    • Hmm (31/05/2021, 04:00) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
      Do we really have a National Epidemiologist?
      What qualifications are required for that position?
      • Sickening (31/05/2021, 21:28) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
        Her bio stated that she has a double mastees with Distinction in Advnaced Biostatistics and Epidemiology and Biostatistics and some other health related post grad degree always with distinction. Why not call health and ask. You all always crying down wunna own. Pathetic.
      • george (31/05/2021, 21:41) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
        @hmmm What an absolutely asinine thing to ask. What she is is a highly qualified young lady who is making strides in her profession. And has been selflessly working hard to keep your ungrateful butt safe. Ingrate.
  • Sam (30/05/2021, 14:05) Like (24) Dislike (13) Reply
    No. If they wear their damn mask properly, sanitize and social distance the world would be a better place.
  • coming soon (30/05/2021, 16:47) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    we might have the same issues as more folks arrives in the place
  • zoe (30/05/2021, 19:15) Like (19) Dislike (16) Reply
    Let the bvi vip haters take that we are safe in the bvi
    • True (30/05/2021, 21:30) Like (13) Dislike (9) Reply
      @zoe only C***y and her goons feel or will say otherwise. The same VIP she be calling to be fried are the same VIP who kept her safe. But you see father God. God doesn’t like ugly and it’s clearly shown what C****y doing is has been a personal ugly agenda that’s about “her” using the Virgin Islands as a gateway.
    • the rock (30/05/2021, 21:42) Like (13) Dislike (7) Reply
      What a foolish statement, safe in the bvi, what hog wash just came off of your fingers
  • soo (31/05/2021, 02:28) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    The vaccine failed them ......

    But wait who said it protects u from
    Catching ?
  • The TRUTH (31/05/2021, 06:44) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    But they eating our lunch, everything rent out.
  • family (31/05/2021, 08:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is Governor Albert Bryan , Carvin's brother? They Look alike.
  • what (31/05/2021, 09:47) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Stop blaming unvaccinated people for spreading this lab engineered virus, the vaccinated spreading ot just as much, they are not immune to the virus.
  • Peaches (31/05/2021, 22:41) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Those vaccinated persons are those who catch the virus. Faucci and Bill Gates have you all like fools.


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