Health

Zika Infection Rate Spike In Pregnant Women With 23 New Cases Reported In Territory

Even as the Zika virus infection rate in the territory appears to be receding, this week, the Department of Health reported a spike in pregnant women cases, jumping from 120 positive cases last week to 143 positive cases this week, a jump of 23 new infections, according to the department's latest weekly report. But according to D.O.H. in a press release issued Thursday, the spike does not reflect a one-week increase; rather, this week’s cases among pregnant women reflect infections that occurred in August to October, which D.O.H. said overlaps with the most active period of reported cases of Zika to date. Overall, the number of cases reported this week, including pregnant women, totals 1087 on all three islands. St. Thomas continues to lead the infection rate with 649 positive cases, followed by St. Croix with 215 positive cases, and St. John with 80. D.O.H. said since the onset of the outbreak, its top priority in its Zika response efforts has been to protect pregnant women by pr...