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The British Virgin Islands is in its worst Covid-19 crisis since the pandemic started, and on Wednesday the BVI government announced that two more persons had died from coronavirus-related causes within 24 hours. That's upon three people who died from Covid-related causes in one week, bringing the territory's total deaths in roughly one week to five, and six overall for the entire pandemic.
According to the BVI government, the deceased are a 48-year-old male and a 75-year-old female who were all patients at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital at the time of their passing.
BVI Minister for Health and Social Development Carvin Malone called on BVI residents to "adhere to established Covid-19 protocols and guidelines." The minister also encouraged the community to remain vigilant and asked for persons to participate in the 21 Days Prayer and Fasting "as we petition God for favor and mercy to get through this surge."
“The government is committed to improving the health of the people of the Virgin Islands. We need our people to do their part to safeguard themselves to help stop the transmission of this virus,” he said.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronald Georges said that as of July 13 there were 1559 active confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the BVI.
He urged residents to take heed of the government-implemented protocols. “Persons must take Covid-19 more seriously. I cannot stress this enough. Let us help to reduce the outbreak by limiting person to person contact. If you have been asked to quarantine or self-isolate do so. More importantly, adhere to the strict curfew order where all persons are to be indoors from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Persons are also reminded to wear masks; sanitize or wash hands; and stand six feet apart,” Dr. Georges said.
Dr. Georges further stated that all unvaccinated persons should get vaccinated. “Two jabs are better than one, and one jab is better than none,” he said.
Governor Bryan Holds Press Briefing Thursday
Governor Albert Bryan will announce during a press briefing today new restrictions regarding travel between the USVI and the BVI as cases shoot up in the British territory, according to a person with firsthand knowledge of the matter. The two territories enjoy close relations and daily commute between Tortola and downtown Charlotte Amalie, and the Bryan administration is seeking to take preemptive action hoping to prevent a similar situation from taking hold in the USVI.
USVI Covid cases in recent days have ticked higher, with the V.I. Dept. of Health on Wednesday reporting 120 Covid cases, 64 on St. Thomas, 56 on St. Croix and none on St. John.
Government House said the press event will take place at 1:00 p.m. today.
BVI Warns of Fake Covid Remedies
The BVI Ministry of Health and Social Development on Wednesday advised the public against purchasing Covid-19 resources online as several counterfeit items are being sold. Items including counterfeit tests, false vaccines, and other items are being promoted as diagnosing, treating and even curing Covid-19, the government said.
"Purchasing these products is not advisable and will do more harm than good as using fake vaccines can endanger one’s health and life," said the health ministry. "If you would like to be vaccinated, you can do so at any community clinic in the BVI, from Monday to Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m."
Residents were also advised not to purchase oxygen tanks for home use. "These tanks are highly flammable and should not be used unless advised by a doctor," the health ministry said. "Inappropriate use can cause oxygen toxicity which causes seizures and other health challenges."
Celebrity Summit's Call to BVI Canceled
Meanwhile, as BVI continues to experience its worst Covid-19 surge with advance community spread taking place, Celebrity Cruises, whose Celebrity Millennium cruise ship on July 1 docked at the CB Romney Tortola Pier Park, has cancelled its latest call for the Celebrity Summit.
The BVI Port Authority made the announcement of the cancellation. The ship was set to arrive Thursday. "As a result of the high number of active Covid-19 cases within the territory, the organizations involved agreed that it was in the best interest for all to cancel the call to the port," the BVI Port Authority said.
"The BVI is now in a situation of advanced community spread," Dr. Georges said during an address to residents Sunday.
He said because the BVI is in an advanced stage of community transmission, "all persons are presently at risk of contracting Covid-19."
Dr. Georges further stated, "Geographical distribution and contact tracing are irrelevant at this point because we are in a situation of very high transmission and community spread throughout the territory. This means that all persons must take urgent and immediate steps to limit their exposure to stop the spread of the virus. Testing is less important at this time. It's less important than strict adherence to public health measures and getting vaccinated."
