Active Covid-19 cases are at an all-time high in the British Virgin Islands as cases surpass 500. Records emanating from July 6th, brings the current toll to 558 active cases of Covid-19 in the territory.
This was revealed by Minister of Health and Social Development, Honorable Carvin Malone who made the announcement via VIP talk earlier this evening.
“Last night I reported that we had 480 cases… but unfortunately today, when the Chief Medical Officer reported in that preliminary report, we are talking about 80 additional cases. So we will now be up to 558 in terms of cases that we will be looking at. This is concerning and we’re looking for when we break that upward movement and plateau and bring it down.”
TWO PERSONS IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
Of the 478 active cases, 6 are receiving medical care at the isolation unit, while 2 are being carefully looked at in the ICU.
Honorable Malone expounded on the situation, adding that we need to be mindful of the ramifications of Covid-19.
“We currently have two patients that are in the ICU and our prayers go out to them. These are our family, these are our friends, these are persons who we care about. I hear a passionate plea from one of the family members as it relates to this and we must be mindful covid-19 is devastating to lives and its devastating to livelihoods. There’s nothing fake about the effects of it.”
In an effort to tackle the surging covid-19 caseload, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ronald Georges said BVI Health Services will repurpose some staff to facilitate higher volumes of vaccination and testing.
Dr. Georges within his July 6th update stated “The Community Health Services will move clinical care to telemedicine as much as practical and reduce in person services. The focus will shift to vaccination and testing. The BVI Health Services will be curtailing elective services, out-patient clinics and services, and will be moving to remote telemedicine and pick-up and drop-off where appropriate.”
Dr. Georges also mentioned that at least 60 staff at the BVI Health Services Authority have tested positive for the virus and will be cleared in accordance with protocols.