The British Virgin Islands continues to endure a spike in positive COVID-19 cases with the total leaping from 49 to now 91 in a short span of just three days.
This was revealed in a COVID-19 epidemiological summary that was published on Thursday July 1, which detailed the COVID situation in the territory.
According to the data, of the 91 positive active cases, 82 are on Tortola and the remaining 9 on Virgin Gorda. Presently both Anegada and Jost Van Dyke have not yet recorded any positive cases.
The data also revealed that 79 of the cases have been deemed to be mildly symptomatic while 12 asymptomatic.
Additionally, 15 of the cases are locals with 52 detected from contact tracing efforts. The other cases were detected entry screening for day zero (2), day four (4), day seven (5), travel screening (12) and crew (1).
Minister for Health Carvin Malone subsequently released a press statement confirming that the cases had indeed risen.
He said, “Following my report on Tuesday, June 29th 2021, the Acting Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Ronald Georges has reported that an additional 42 positive cases of the COVID-19 virus have been detected. This brings to 91 the total active COVID-19 cases in the Virgin Islands.”
“The CMO has been directed to issue a comprehensive statement outlining the measures taken by Government, statutory bodies, public and private institutions; private companies and public and private individuals to lessen the negative effects of the virus,” he added.
Persons urged to get vaccinated
In light of the increasing concerning situation, the health minister stressed on the need for more persons to get vaccinated before the current stock expires at the end of the month.
He said 12,993 persons have so far received their first doses, while 9,254 have received their second doses.
“Again, I want to make it clear that all vaccines in stock at the BVI Health Services Authority and at private medical healthcare facilities are expiring on July 31. I am again appealing to everyone who has not received their first dose to do so before July 3 to ensure that they receive the second dose within a four-week timeframe and are fully vaccinated as per the vaccine manufacturers’ guidelines,” he emphasised.
“If you are not going to do it for you, then do it for your parents, grandparents, your great aunts and uncles! They are our most vulnerable who are impacted by this disease! If you are not going to do it for you, then do it for your children. At the end of the day, we are hoping the protection of the adult population will in turn protect each child under the age of 17 in this territory. If you are not going to do it for you, then do it for your employers,” the minister further stressed.
It remains unclear what variant of COVID-19 is presently impacting the territory.