370 Active COVID-19 Cases In Territory, 39 People Hospitalized

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — The latest surge in COVID-19 cases in the U.S. Virgin Islands peaked earlier this week with 370 active cases, 39 people hospitalized, and nine people on ventilators, according to the Virgin Islands Health Department. 41 people have died from COVID-19.

On Monday, Governor Bryan announced that he will continue to encourage Virgin Islanders to get vaccinated rather than establishing restrictions on unvaccinated people. In the same address, he emphasized that everyone who has been hospitalized with the virus has one thing in common: they are not fully vaccinated.

Gov. Bryan also warned that the territory's hospitals are close to capacity. "What’s even scarier about this is people recover from COVID, and they don’t leave the hospital. So you’re no longer COVID-positive, but you have a lung problem or kidney problem or heart problem or clotting problem that causes you to stay there,” Governor Bryan said. “It only reflects the people that tested positive today. What happens over time is more and more people end up in the hospital and for longer periods. What that causes is for other people who need to access services not to be able to get them.”

During the same address, Assistant Health Commissioner Dr. Nicole Syms noted that Monday marked one year to the day since her niece was buried after dying from COVID-19. Since that time, she has lost five additional persons to the deadly virus.

“I find myself here again appealing to you and almost begging you to please take this seriously. The data that I’ve just read is the highest that we have seen,” Dr. Syms said. “Our hospitals are full. Our staff is burnt out. We are mourning, some of us personally, some of us professionally."

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines or to schedule an appointment, visit covid19usvi.com/vaccines.

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