Thirteen persons have now lost their lives in the British Virgin Islands as a result of Covid-19 complications.
The latest epidemiological statistics show 12 deaths being recorded within the last two weeks, 5 of which seemed to have occurred today, July 16th.
The toll was confirmed by the Premier of the Virgin Islands, Honorable Andrew Fahie during a press update conducted alongside Minister of Health Honorable Carvin Malone, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronald Georges and Acting Chief Executive Officer of BVI Health Services Authority, Mrs. Cedorene Malone-Smith.
Honorable Fahie said “We have lost a few lives too many to covid-19. In totality from last year to now, we have lost 13 lves as of today; one from last year and twelve thus far, all of whom I know. As you know this is a close knit community where we all know each other. When one person dies it shocks us all, we are all touched by it. So this is heartbreaking not only for me, but for family and friends who have been directly impacted. My heartfelt condolences.”
POSITIVE NUMBERS DECREASING, MORE RECOVERIES RECORDED
The territory has recorded a climbing upsurge within the last two weeks but there seems to be hope as positive numbers have begun to stabilize.
This is according to Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ronald Georges who said “We have continued to screen large numbers of cases in the Virgin Islands and what we have noticed is that new positives have begun to drop off and the actual case load has begun to level off.”
“Today was the first day we saw a dip in active cases and those of you who would have been following the numbers would have seen that we went from 1602 to 1596. That is because we had 30 new cases identified and 35 news recoveries and unfortunately we had some deaths,” Dr. Georges added.
Dr. Georges however stated that symptomatic cases may increase in coming days
“As that active case number may begin to fall in the next couple days and the number of new cases may drop off, we would now begin to see some of those active cases becoming symptomatic. So we would expect that we would continue to have cases attending to the hospital, to the emergency room and being admitted.”
PATIENTS RECOVERING WHILE OTHERS ARE BEING DISCHARGED…. A RAY OF HOPE FOR THE TERRITORY
Outside of the 35 recoveries highlighted within the new epidemiological updates, some covid-positive patients who were hospitalized are also recovering.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of BVI Health Services Authority, Mrs. Cedorene Malone-Smith said “There’s some good news; we had 11 patients who were admitted to the covid ward in the last week that were discharged in good condition. So some people are making it out the hospital and going home in a healthy manner, so that’s a good thing.”
Mrs. Malone Smith said 25 persons are currently hospitalized; 16 of whom are receiving care in the covid ward and 9 in the ER awaiting a bed.
The Acting CEO also noted that 4 patients are in the Intensive care unit, 2 of which are on ventilators and 2 on high volume oxygen.
She is imploring persons to contact the medical hotline on 852-7650 if they are experiencing symptoms and may require hospitalization or 911 in severe cases.
284 Media would like to extend sincere condolences to all those who would have lost a love one to covid-19.
Speedy recovery wishes to those fighting the virus.
We will get through this together.