The Minister made the statement on an episode of JTV The Big Story broadcasted on Facebook on January 16, 2022, and noted that the situation in the VI has coincided with trends across the region.

Hon Malone disclosed that some 80% of persons taken to hospitals due to COVID-19 were unvaccinated and that the adult population is mostly being impacted.

“We have seen where they are a number of my senior gems, they are the ones who are vulnerable in some large regards,” he added.

57% of VI fully vaccinated

According to the Territory's Epidemiological Summary on January 26, 2022, there are 17, 236 fully vaccinated persons in the VI, which represents 57% of an estimated 30,000 population.

1,550 persons are partially vaccinated.

The Minister said he does not recall any hospitalization below the age of 17, the majority of hospitalization have been between ages 30-40 with the majority in the age 50–70 range.

Unvaccinated adults impacted most - Hon Malone

The Minister said he does not recall any hospitalisation below the age of 17 and that the majority of hospitalisations have been between ages 30-40 and 50–70 age ranges.

Meanwhile, regarding the further easing of COVID-19 restrictions, Hon Malone reminded that the protocols have continued to keep the VI safe over the course of the pandemic.

He reminded that many of the restrictions have already been eased like curfews and on arrival travel COVID-19 testing for fully vaccinated persons; however, persons must still adhere to protocols.

There are currently 397 active COVID-19 cases in the VI, according to testing done on January 25, 2022, and reported the following day.

According to the Territory's Epidemiological Summary on January 26, 2022, there are 17, 236 fully vaccinated persons in the VI.