CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Just as coronavirus cases are on the rise on the mainland, in the U.S. Virgin Islands COVID-19 cases increased significantly this week, the Virgin Islands Department of Health said.
In two days near the end of the week, VIDOH was tracking at least 50 confirmed cases of the disease — with 26 new cases on Wednesday and 24 new cases on Thursday.
The VIDOH is keeping tabs on 131 confirmed active cases in the territory as of Saturday, according to Johns Hopkins University.
So far, 23 deaths have been associated with COVID-19 in the USVI: 15 on St. Thomas, seven on St. Croix and one on St. John, VIDOH said. This week, one coronavirus patient was hospitalized and on a ventilator at the Juan F. Luis Hospital, and one patient was hospitalized at the Schneider Regional Medical Center.
St. Thomas has about double the number of active COVID-19 cases compared to St. Croix, according to the latest statistics available.
In July, Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion ordered that face coverings be worn in the territory in public spaces, including work spaces, businesses, schools and public transportation. The mandate exempts children under the age of two.
According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Kansas, following Governor Laura Kelly’s July mask mandate on a county-by-county basis, the 24 counties with mandatory mask mandates saw an overall decrease in COVID-19 cases, while the 81 counties that opted out of the mask mandate continued to increase in cases.
Similarly, research conducted by Vanderbilt University’s Department of Health Policy in October found that COVID-19 death tolls were twice as high in Tennessee counties without mask mandates, as compared to counties with directives in place. Governor Bill Lee has not initiated a mask mandate in the state, deferring to local leaders.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
Most people who fall sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment.
HOW IT SPREADS
The virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or exhales. These droplets are too heavy to hang in the air, and quickly fall on floors or surfaces.
You can be infected by breathing in the virus if you are within close proximity of someone who has COVID-19, or by touching a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose or mouth.
