COVID-19 cases in the British Virgin Islands continue to climb with total active cases now reaching 256 with more than 85% of the total cases on the mainland of Tortola.
This was confirmed by the Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronald Georges in a statement issued on Tuesday December 28, where he said the outbreak is as a result of the Delta variant of the virus being present in the territory.
He said, “As of the 28th of December 2021, there are 256 reported cases of COVID 19 in the Territory with the majority 218 on Tortola. As previously mentioned, all samples previously sent to CARPHA for typing were positive for the Delta variant and samples continue to be sent for typing on a regular basis.”
COVID clusters linked to entertainment businesses
Dr. Georges said the majority of the clusters have been linked to entertainment businesses and other establishments which promote social gatherings and allow for persons to congregate.
He warned residents to remain cognizant of the virus and to adhere to the respective COVID-19 protocols during the holiday period to help minimize transmission of the virus.
He said, “In this holiday season and during this period of increased transmission, as we prepare to engage in the many families and social gatherings and enjoy the holiday season with our friends and families, let us remember that COVID-19 is still present amongst us, and we are to intentionally take the necessary precautions for our health and safety.”
BVI Health Officials reviewing new CDC guidelines
The Acting CMO also said that local health professionals will be reviewing the recent guidelines issued by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently on December 27th 2021 in response to the high prevalence of the Omicron variant in the United States.
These new guidelines from the CDC reduced isolation periods to 5 days once symptoms in positive persons have resolved, based on new evidence which they say shows that such persons are no longer infectious.
“Research has shown that persons are infectious 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and 2-3 days after onset of symptoms. The new CDC recommendation is that for the remaining 5 days persons should always wear a well-fitted mask when around others. We will be reviewing these updated guidelines in the next few days and giving updated guidance as required,” Dr. Georges stated.
He added, “The CDC also recommends that those who have had a booster dose should simply wear a well fitted mask when around others for 10 days. Their guidance is that all persons should seek to be tested at Day 5 after exposure and if symptoms occur should immediately isolate until a negative test confirms that symptoms are not due to COVID or if they become positive isolate as a case. We will review this latest CDC guidance and update as required in due course.”
All persons required to quarantine for at least 10 days
The leading health professional said until a decision is reached on the new COVID-19 protocols as suggested by the CDC, all persons in the BVI will be required to quarantine for at least 10 days once direct contact with a positive case has occurred.
He said, “All household or travel companion contacts of cases in the Virgin Islands should at this time be quarantined and be tested at least 10 days after their last exposure or 7 days if they are not quarantining with the case in the same location. In the Virgin Islands, we are currently requiring persons with unprotected contact of confirmed cases to self-isolate and wear a well-fitted mask when around others for a period of 14 days.”
To review current BVI COVID-19 Policy and update government
Dr. Georges said that his team of professionals will also be reviewing some of the current government policies on controlling and suppressing the COVID-19 virus, to decide if any changes need to be made to the existing protocols.
“While the main tools of our control and suppression measures in the past have been curfews, business restrictions and lockdowns, government policy has moved away from these drastic measures as vaccination rates have increased to just over 60 percent. We will be reviewing and advising the Government on any necessary changes to our policies,” he stated.