A 71-year-old male becomes the territory’s first COVID-19 related death for the year 2022, taking the COVID-19 related death total to 40, as active positive cases surpass 600 in the BVI.
This is according to the Ministry of Health and Social Development which confirmed on Monday January 3 that the deceased who had underlying conditions and long-standing medical problems, passed on New Year’s Day.
Expressing condolences to the family and loved ones of the elderly male was Minister for Health Carvin Malone who said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the coronavirus.
601 active cases
In the meantime, the active positive cases in the British Virgin Islands continue to rise, with cases now totaling 601 with approximately 80 percent on the island of Tortola.
Of the 601, some 480 have been recorded on Tortola, 112 on Virgin Gorda, 5 on Anegada, 4 on Jost Van Dyke and 1 on a vessel.
The ministry also confirmed that 12 patients were admitted to the Dr. D Orlando Smith Hospital with COVID and were at the time on high flow oxygen.
The ministry also said that there were no ICU admissions during their statement.
Cases appear to be milder
Meanwhile, Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronald Georges said the present cases appear to be milder, but warned that it is still too early to form a strong opinion on the clinical characteristics of the outbreak.
He said COVID samples continue to be sent to CARPHA for genetic typing to determine if the Omicron variant is present.
“Persons are encouraged to take COVID-19 seriously. Sick persons should isolate themselves and seek to get tested by rapid antigen test or PCR. At this present time, we are recommending that persons isolate for a minimum period of 10 days and with resolution of any fever for at least 24 hours” Dr Georges said.
He added, “all unvaccinated persons should get vaccinated and all persons who are already 3 months after their last vaccination should have a booster…Higher levels of neutralizing antibodies in the population will both reduce spread and severity of illness at the individual and population levels.”