CHRISTIANSTED — During the weekly Government House briefing this afternoon, Territorial Epidemiologist Dr. Esther Ellis announced a slight increase the number of active COVID-19 cases from previous weeks.
“Please note that we do have the presence of the new variants, BA.4 and BA.5,” she said. “These variants are more resistant to the current vaccine.”
Dr. Ellis said it is projected that there will be a new formulation of the vaccines available in the fall that are more effective against the new variants.
COVID-19 cases as of July 18
- 12.4% seven-day positivity rate
- Currently tracking 208 active cases (138 STX; 55 STT; 20 STJ)
- 120 deaths
- There are two COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Luis Hospital on St. Croix.
- There are four COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas.
Dr. Ellis also reminded residents that schedules for free vaccinations and testing have changed as of July 1.
Adult Vaccinations
The Community Vaccination Center (CVC) at Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas will be open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. To make an appointment, call 340-774-7447.
Free vaccinations at the CVC at the Charles Harwood Complex on St. Croix are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday and Wednesdays. To make an appointment, call 340-718-1311 ext. 3895 or ext. 3822.
On St. John, free vaccinations for all ages are available by appointment only at the Morris DeCastro Clinic by calling 340-776-6400.
Pediatric Vaccinations
For children 6 months to 4 years old, the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine has been authorized as a three-dose primary series, and for children ages 5-17, the vaccine continues to be authorized as a two-dose primary series. The Moderna vaccine also is authorized for children ages 6 months to 5 years old as a two-dose primary series.
Pediatric vaccinations (ages 5 to 17) and infant vaccinations (ages six months to five years old) are available on St. Thomas at the Maternal and Child Health Clinic from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, and on St. Croix under the tent at the Charles Harwood Complex from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays.
On St. John, free vaccinations for all ages are available by appointment only at the Morris DeCastro Clinic by calling 340-776-6400.
Parents and guardians can set up an appointment by calling 340-777-8804 ext. 2600 on St. Thomas or 340-244-0016 on St. Croix or by going to covid19usvi.com/vaccines. Residents are reminded to bring an ID for the parent or guardian, as well as the infant or child’s ID and a copy of the birth certificate.
More COVID-19 Information
Anyone who thinks they may have contracted COVID-19 can call the Epidemiology hotline at 340-712-6299 (STX) or 340-776-1519 (STT-STJ). For more information, visit covid19usvi.com.
Walk Out Wednesday
Government House spokesman Richard Motta said Governor Albert Bryan will launch “Walk Out Wednesday” on July 20 as the first territory-wide event that is part of the Office of the Governor’s “Our Best Life Health and Wellness” initiative.
The goal of the “Our Best Life” initiative is to improve the physical, mental and emotional well-being of all Virgin Islanders through a series of events, activities and services. The Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation will be leading this first event, and will have similar activities and events coming in the next few weeks.
The “Walk Out Wednesday” walking fitness challenge is open to everyone and all ages in an effort to motivate a routine that allows for a healthier and more active lifestyle, according to Director Motta.
The event requires only one day of walking for two miles for six weeks, and participants will receive an official “Our Best Life” Team T-shirt, wristband, and towel.
Walkers on St. Croix will meet at Midre Cummings Park at 5:30 pm and walk to Frederiksted Pool which is about 2 miles one way and 2 miles back which would be about 4 miles.
Walkers in St. Thomas will start from Griffith Park and go to Yacht Haven Grande which will be about 1.4 miles one way and back, so almost three miles total.
St. John walks will begin at the Virgin Islands National Park ballpark to Caneel Bay Hotel and back. The walk will be about 1.5 miles one way and back would be about three miles.
For more information about participating, call 340-727-3264.
Diabetes Health Fair
The Virgin Islands Diabetes Center Of Excellence (VIDCOE) will host a free Diabetes Health Fair for residents in the territory from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 30 at the City of Refuge Convention Center in Barren Spot on St. Croix.
The health fair is for adults and children with diabetes, prediabetes, persons with a family history of diabetes and persons at risk of diabetes. It will include free on-site diabetes screening; eye exams; foot and chiropractic care; and nutrition, diet and medication management and an endocrinologist will also be available for diabetes counseling.
“VIDCOE will also provide group medication management and nutrition counseling, along with free exercise and group fitness classes taught by local fitness/exercise physiologists,” Director Motta said. “We hope to enroll patients at the fair and will begin seeing our first round of cohort patients for medical services on August 15 at VIDCOE’s La Grande Princesse office.”
For more information on the free Diabetes Health Fair, contact the Virgin Islands Center of Excellence at 340-208-0260 or by visiting their website at vidcoe.org.