The territory is experiencing another surge in Covid-19 cases, Governor Albert Bryan made known during a Covid-19 response update press briefing held Thursday. "As a matter of fact, in the last two days alone we have encountered 50 new Covid-19 positives in the territory," he said.
It was not the first time the territory had reported 50 new cases in two days. Early Dec., a surge resulted in selfsame numbers.
Since Dec. 31, the V.I. Dept. of Health along with private facilities have tested 874 individuals, of which 78 tested positive for the virus, according to data provided by D.O.H. during the press briefing. The infections brought the territory's positivity rate to just under 9 percent, up from 4 percent.
The governor urged residents to continue adhering to Covid-19 guidelines. "I can't stress enough how there's a need to follow the guidelines," he said. The governor said the surge was due to holiday travel and "many gatherings both legally and illegally."
As of Thursday the USVI had 130 active Covid-19 cases: 57 on St. Croix, 65 in St. Thomas and 8 on St. John. Fifty-five test results were pending. To date, 37,115 people in the USVI have been tested with a total of 2,106 testing positive and 34,936 testing negative. Twenty-four Virgin Islanders have died as a result of the virus from the onset of the pandemic, and 1,995 people have recovered. There were no Covid-19 patients at the territory's hospitals as of Thursday.
Mr. Bryan said it was the first time since the pandemic that there were no hospitalizations. "And while it's certainly good news, it just means the majority of those infected are perhaps asymptomatic. So that is why we're asking you please, wear your masks, practice your social distancing, and avoid mass gatherings," the governor said. Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion encouraged all Virgin Islanders to take personal responsibility in their role to keep the spread of the virus down.
Relative to the health department's vaccination effort, as of Thursday, 1,338 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were administered. Responding to a question from the Consortium, Ms. Encarnacion said appointments were being set for the second dose during appointments for the first shot at partner facilities. The vaccines require two doses to fully protect recipients, with the second dose being administered 28 days after the initial shot for the Moderna vaccine, and 21 days after for Pfizer's.
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