CHRISTIANSTED — After further investigating cause of death and ensuring notification of next of kin, the Virgin Islands Department of Health is saddened to confirm the territory’s thirty-sixth death related to COVID-19.
The coronavirus victim was a 50-year-old man on St. Croix, according to the VIDOH.
“After further investigating cause of death and ensuring notification of next of kin, the Virgin Islands Department of Health is saddened to confirm the territory’s thirty-fourth and thirty-fifth deaths related to COVID-19. Deceased on St. Thomas is an 84-year-old male and deceased on St. Croix is a 43-year-old male,” VIDOH said.
The latest deaths — three in a row — come as health officials confirmed the presence of the Delta variant in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and as active infections have surged in the past week.
With this surge in positive cases there is a greater chance for the virus to mutate. Identifying this variant in one district only indicates to us that it has already covered the whole territory as inter-island travel heightens the spread,” the department said Wednesday.
As of Thursday, there were 208 active COVID-19 cases in the USVI: with at least 62 on St. Croix, 141 on St. Thomas, and 7 on St. John.
The Department continues to work to slow the spread of COVID-19. Please continue to follow these precautionary measures: practice social distancing, wear a mask when in company of others outside of those in your household, clean frequently used areas thoroughly, and wash your hands often with soap and warm water.
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine can prevent severe illness and death. To schedule an appointment, please call (340) 777-8227 or visit covid19usvi.com/vaccines. Walk-ins are also accepted at our Community Vaccination Centers.
St. Croix’s Community Vaccination Center is located at the Nissan Center on St. Croix which is in La Grande Princesse, adjacent to the Honda Dealership and The Paint Shop, on the same side of the street as Food Town.
On St. Thomas the Community Vaccination Center is located at the Community Health Clinic on the 2nd floor at the Schneider Regional Medical Center.
To report a suspected case of COVID-19, please call (340) 712-6299 or (340) 776-1519. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. For more information, visit covid19usvi.com. For COVID19 updates, text COVID19USVI to 888777.