The Ministry of Health and Social Development is confirming three more COVID-related deaths bringing the total number of deaths in the Virgin Islands to 17.

The deceased are a 45-year-old male, a 49-year-old male and a 39-year-male who died Saturday at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital.

Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone expressed condolences to the families and loved ones on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands. “May God continue to comfort the many families and friends who are hurting and mourning the loss of their loved ones,” he said.

“We will spare no cost, no effort or no time to get whatever we need to stabalise this condition and return to the Virgin Islands that we know, the Virgin Islands that we love,” Honourable Malone said. He committed to continue to do all that is in his power no matter the challenge to get the Virgin Islands safely out of this sphere.

The COVID Hospital Admissions Summary statistics as of July 18 are as follows:

3 - persons admitted to ER (4 deaths)
16 - persons admitted to the COVID-19 ward (8 deaths)
1 - person admitted to Behavioural Health Unit remains in hospital
4 - persons admitted to ICU (4 deaths)
14 - Persons were discharged from the COVID-19 ward
1 - person discharge from Obstetric unit
24 - hospital admitted patients (1 vaccinated and 23 are unvaccinated)

As of July 15th, confirmed active cases had fallen to 1,596 in the Territory with a reduction in active cases due to recoveries.

Reduce your risk of contracting COVID by washing and/or sanitising your hands (~20 seconds), wearing masks properly, physically distancing (>3ft) and covering coughs and sneezes regardless of your vaccination status.

If you are having breathing problems, severe weakness or dehydration, or high fever, call the medical hotline immediately at 852-7650.

If you are so breathless that you cannot finish a sentence, coughing up blood, have bruising or blotchy skin, collapse or faint you should call 911 immediately and make efforts to get to the Emergency Room.

If you have been in contact with a positive case and/or symptomatic, you should immediately isolate, minimise contact with your household and contact the Public Health Unit at 468-4936, 468-2274 or 468-2285 or 468-2278.