Sixth Covid-19 Patient Dies In British Virgin Islands

TORTOLA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS — A 48-year-old male and a 75-year-old female are the fifth and sixth patients to die from Covid-19 in the British Virgin Islands. The outbreak of the virus is taking it's toll on the community.

According to the Ministry of Health and Social Development, 31 people are hospitalized due to Covid-19 as of July 14. Thirty patients were unvaccinated and one patient was vaccinated.

As more cases crop up, any plans to return to "business as usual" are going by the wayside. On Tuesday, the BVI Ports Authority cancelled a planned stop by the cruise ship Celebrity Summit. The ship was supposed stop at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park on Thursday.

“As a result of the high numbers of active COVID-19 cases within the territory, the organizations involved agreed that it was in the best interest for all to cancel the call to the port,” said the BVIPA Marketing Director Natasha Chalwell.

Carvin Malone, Minister for Health and Social Development, renewed his call for the community to follow COVID-19 protocols and guidelines. A statement from his office also called for community members to pray and fast, "the Minister also encouraged the community to remain vigilant and asked for persons to participate in the 21 Days Prayer and Fasting as we petition God for favour and mercy to get through this surge."

In the meantime, officials are setting up a field hospital in case the hospital's COVID-19 ward is overwhelmed. The Health Services Authority set up six tents at the Multipurpose Sports Complex in Road Town and the field hospital will be equipped to care for 25 patients.

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