CHRISTIANSTED — During the Government House weekly briefing today, Territorial Epidemiologist Dr. Esther Ellis reported that COVID-19 cases in the Territory continue to decline after weeks of a surge from the Omicron variant of the virus.
“We are grateful for all the cooperation we’ve received from the other agencies, private supporters and you, the community, for seeing us through the Omicron surge,” Dr. Ellis said. “It is not over yet, but we are doing better, so, thank you.”
Dr. Ellis said the Department of Health expects the seven-day positivity rate of 5.33 percent to continue to trend downward as Omicron cases continue to subside worldwide.
$250 Vaccine Incentive for Children
The VI Youth $250 Gift Card Giveaway began on Monday, February 14 and runs through Friday, March 18. Any child residing in the US Virgin Islands between the ages of 5 and 17 who receives the second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines between by March 18, will receive a $250 gift card at the time you receive your second dose.
Children who receive only the first dose by that deadline are not eligible.
Oceanbound Plastics Recycling Program
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. will be joining the nonprofit Island Green Living on St. John on Friday, February 18, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the organization’s “Oceanbound Plastics Recycling Program,” which is the first plastics recycling program on St. John.
“The plastics will be processed and recycled into useful products and will complement the existing aluminum can recycling program and other sustainable initiatives that already exist,” Government House Communications Director Richard Motta Jr. said. “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone at Island Green Living for all of the great work that they’re doing for these very needed environmental initiatives.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be livestreamed to the Government House page at facebook.com/GovernmentHouseUSVI and rebroadcast later on the Government Access Channel (Channel 27 on Viya).
Hours for Testing
Beginning Wednesday, February 2, the Department of Health shifted its hours for testing to 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. by appointment at covid19usvi.com/testing.
Hours will not change on St. John, and testing will be available from noon to 3 p.m. three days a week – Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays – at the V.I. Port Authority gravel lot until further notice.
Pop-Up Vaccinations
St. Croix – Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Market (formerly Plaza Extra West) and 7 to 11 a.m. Saturdays at Agriculture Fairgrounds.
St. Thomas – Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m. at Cost-U-Less.
St. John – Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. at the V.I. Port Authority gravel parking lot.
Vaccinations for Children 5-11
Appointments can be scheduled by calling 340-777-8227 or online at covid19usvi.com/vaccines.
St. Thomas – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays at the Maternal Child Health Center.
St. Croix – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Community Vaccination Center.
Please make sure to have a parent or guardian accompany any minor wishing to get vaccinated and bring an ID for both the minor and the parent or guardian.
More COVID-19 information
For information about the COVID-19 vaccines or to schedule an appointment to get vaccinated, call the VITEMA hotline Mondays-Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 340-777-VACS (8227).
Vaccination appointments also can be scheduled online at covid19usvi.com/vaccines. The Department of Health will bring the COVID-19 vaccine to children and adults who are homebound.
Anyone who thinks they may have contracted COVID-19 can call the Epidemiology hotline at 340-712-6299 or 340-776-1519. For more information, visit covid19usvi.com.
COVID-19 cases as of February 12
- 5.33% seven-day positivity rate
- Currently tracking 250 active cases (141 STX; 99 STT; 10 STJ).
- 322,351 tests administered.
- 15,182 individuals tested positive.
- 14,825 individuals have recovered.
- 106 deaths.
- There are 2 COVID-19 patients, with one on a ventilator, hospitalized at Luis Hospital on St. Croix.
- There are 5 COVID-19 patients, with two on a ventilator, hospitalized at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas.