Acting Chief Medical Officer says 2 persons in ICU, 6 in special care as active Covid-19 cases further spike to 558

Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronald Georges says the unprecedented rise in Covid 19 infections in the territory is uncharacteristic of previous outbreaks here. The territory recorded 80 more covid 19 positive cases on Tuesday bringing the total to 558.Dr Georges in a statement says concern needs to be given to identifying the variants of COVID-19 circulating in the Territory.

He says samples have been packaged and are awaiting delivery through the Regional Security Service to be transported to CARPHA.The Acting Chief Medical Officer also says discussions have been ongoing with the Public Health England, United Kingdom for alternate arrangements for expediting the typing of specimens to determine the circulating variants in the Territory. He says given these unknowns, it is important for all to proceed on the side of caution until more information is available.

Currently, he says there are six persons in Special Care Unit at the Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital with two in the Intensive Care Unit – ICU.He also says 60 staff members of the BVI Health Services Authority have tested positive with the virus but they will be re-tested in accordance with protocol and then cleared when negative.Dr Georges says given the large number of cases and positive contacts, the Virgin Islands can be assumed to be experiencing community spread of COVID-19 at this time.