CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The number of positive COVID-19 cases is rising on St. Thomas, with 43 new cases recorded between Monday and Tuesday, the Virgin Islands Health Department said.
All of the cases are among unvaccinated individuals, and Territorial Epidemiologist Esther Ellis is urging all Virgin Islanders ages 12 and older who are medically able to get the vaccine.
“This recent uptick is alarming and with the COVID-19 vaccine being easily accessible anyone 12 years old and over, this surge in new positive cases could have been avoided,” according to a news release issued Wednesday, which added that Ellis and her team are “working to contact trace and contain the spread as quickly as possible.”
“This is a preventable disease and it’s free and easy to get the vaccine. Until we all do that we will not reach community protection known as herd immunity,” Ellis said in a prepared statement.
Five Virgin Islands Police Department officers tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, and the Mariel Newton Command police station in Tutu was closed for cleaning. The station is expected to reopen today.
On Wednesday, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources issued a statement that offices at the Turnbull Regional Library are closed until Monday “to allow for sanitization of the building due to a reported COVID-19 case.”
There are several options for getting vaccinated. There are pop-up events happening across the territory where free COVID-19 vaccines as well as other services are available. Private providers are also offering the vaccines. The Department of Health’s Community Vaccination Centers are also a good option for a smooth, quick vaccination experience.
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 schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine, please call (340) 777-8227 or visit covid19usvi.com/vaccines.
Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are also accepted. It takes all of us to keep our community safe from COVID-19.