Two females are the territory’s latest COVID-19 victims, raising the tally of total deaths in the BVI to eight as active cases now stand at 1602.
This was confirmed by the Ministry of Health on the evening of Thursday July 15 via a media release.
According to the information, the deceased are an 83-year-old female, and a 36-year-old female who were both patients at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital at the time of their passing.
Minister for Health Carvin Malone expressed his condolences to the families and loved ones on behalf of the government of the Virgin Islands.
He said, “Expressing condolences to the many bereaved families is getting harder and harder.”
“The road to the other side of this surge will not be without challenges but I remain steadfast in knowing that if we all do our part, we will get through this! Let us continue to pray, adhere to established COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, follow curfew orders and get vaccinated,” he pleaded.
Meanwhile, Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronald Georges also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased as he urged persons to continue to follow the public health protocols.
“My heart goes out to the families who are affected by the death of a loved one. COVID is real and if we are to get through this, some of us will have to change our approach to this virus. We must continue to strictly adhere to the health and safety protocols and take advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated,” Dr. Georges said.
He added, “Given that the BVI is experiencing high community transmission all symptomatic persons should immediately assume that they are COVID positive. Therefore, we need persons to adhere to isolation and quarantine orders.”
41 persons admitted to hospital – all unvaccinated
The ministry also revealed updated statistics on the status of persons admitted to the hospital for COVID-19 related treatment.
The numbers revealed that a sum of 41 persons have been admitted to the hospital, all of whom are unvaccinated.
The COVID Hospital Admissions Summary statistics as of July 15 are as follows:
- 11–persons admitted to ER (3 deaths)
- 22–persons admitted to the COVID-19 ward (3 deaths)
- 1–person admitted to Behavioural Health Unit
- 5–persons admitted to ICU (2 deaths)
- 1–person admitted to the Obstetric Unit
Vaccination Drive
The ministry also appealed to all unvaccinated persons to come out to the vaccination drive which is scheduled to be held at the Festival Grounds this Saturday July 17 and Sunday July 18 from 9am to 5pm.
The Public Health team also asked members of the community to have patience as their team continue to work assiduously.
Persons who have taken a COVID test and did not get their results back, are asked to fill out the form via the link https://redcap.link/LABResults.