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The V.I. Department of Human Services announced Tuesday that it is implementing additional Covid-19 mitigation procedures in light of positive tests at its St. Thomas office this week.
"As cases across the territory continue to rise, DHS remains vigilant in their screening, educating, and monitoring of staff and clients. The Department of Human Services continues to work in close connection with the Department of Health to ensure availability of prompt testing. DHS is also arranging, this week, for professional cleaning and sanitization of impacted facilities," D.H.S. said.
Changes to Operating Hours
- Effective Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 8:00 a.m., the Knud Hansen Complex in St. Thomas will be closed to the public through Friday, August 14, 2020. The Complex will reopen on Monday, August 17, 2020. While the building is not unsafe, DHS is closing the building to ensure staff can maintain social distancing while testing and other enhanced protocols are arranged. All other DHS facilities on St. Thomas and across the Territory remain open and operational.
- Meals on Wheels and Homemaker Services will continue to provide client services in the community while continuing to adhere to all health and safety protocols.
- Drop boxes will also remain open and available for application drop off.
Restricted client access to D.H.S. sites, implemented since March in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) best practices, will continue, D.H.S. said. A screening survey and temperature checks already in place at residential facilities, will now be required at all D.H.S. facilities across the territory.
All staff and close contacts of the affected units are being notified to ensure their safety within the parameters of HIPAA guidelines. Additionally, D.H.S. said it's working to provide support for staff members.
D.H.S. requested prayers for all its staff members on the frontline daily caring for members of the public.
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