The Coronavirus death toll has risen to 14 in the British Virgin Islands, with the most recent victim being a 48-year old male who died overnight.
Health officials have also confirmed the deaths of an 81-year-old female, a 33-year-old male, a 53-year-old female and a 62-year-old female who died over the past few days while being hospitalized at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital.
A significant amount of persons who succumbed to Covid-19 in the British Virgin Islands had pre-existing chronic health conditions which exasperated complications.
This was revealed by Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ronald Georges during Government’s July 16th Covid-19 update.
“When you look at the risk factors for mortality with regards to covid, the international evidence is being bourne out right here in the Virgin Islands. Most of our cases are obese, some morbidly obese meaning very obese. Most of them have chronic diseases…are diabetic…hypertensive. A few of them have chronic lung conditions.”
“Based on the international evidence, these are all very high risk factors for mortality and this is what is bearing out here in the Virgin Islands,” Dr. Georges added.
The lead Doctor is concerned about symptomatic persons are reluctant to come forward and implored persons to call the hotline or 911 before it is too late.
“We have had many instances of persons who have been staying at home, not calling and and trying to look after themselves with various remedies and it is not going well. We’re asking you please, call, ask for help. Do not stay at home in a dire condition. You can call 911 or 8527650 to get assistance.”
International reports have shown a strong association between underlying conditions and the following outcomes: mortality, admission to hospital or admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) among those infected with COVID-19.
Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness and possibly die from the virus.
Dr. Georges stated that the vast majority of persons who lost their lives to the virus was unvaccinated and made an impassioned plea for persons to get inoculated soonest.
“The evidence for the last 6 months worldwide has shown that over 99.5% of deaths worldwide have been unvaccinated persons. So despite everything we have been hearing, vaccination does prevent hospitalization, severe covid, the need for ICU and death in a large proportion of persons. So it’s very important for s at this time to avail ourselves of the opportunity that exists for us to be vaccinated.”
The “Operation Protect Each other” vaccination drive is currently ongoing at the festival grounds.
The drive-through initiative is allowing vehicles to enter the eastern gate of the Festival Grounds and register, get inoculated, receive their cards and drive off in the convenience of their cars.
Persons aged 18 and older are advised to pre-fill registration forms available online ministryofhealth.gov.vg/vaccines, walk with a government issued identification, wear their face masks and wear short sleeved tops for easy access to getting the vaccine.
If you or anyone you know wants to receive the first or second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, head over to the festival grounds today.