Health

Twenty-One New Cases Of Zika Brings Territory's Total To 657 As Virus's Momentum Slows

ST. THOMAS -- The number of Zika virus cases confirmed in the U.S. Virgin Islands rose to 657, up by 21 from last week's 636, according to Department of Health's latest surveillance report. The latest numbers, though up week-on-week, shows an encouraging sign as the virus appears to be losing steam. The slowdown was predicted by D.O.H. Commissioner Michelle Davis, who in August said the virus was at that time at its high point in the territory, and that once peaked, cases would begin to decline. “We are in the exponential phase of the epidemiological curve of the outbreak, which means every week we will have more positive results coming back. At some point the results will peak and then we will be on the other side of the outbreak and will then see a reduction in cases,” Ms. Davis said. Even pregnant women cases are trending down, with the number of confirmed cases rising by 6 week-over-week, compared to the prior week's jump of 24 new cases. D.O.H. Director of Public Re...