Delta variant likely still lurking in BVI - Health Minister
While the BVI was swiftly able to find and isolate the contacts of the single local patient who tested positive for the Delta variant of COVID-19, the territory potentially has a bigger problem on its hands.
No one knows how this patient came to contract this variant which experts say is highly contagious and potentially more fatal than any other strain of COVID-19.
According to Health Minister Carvin Malone who delivered a COVID update this week, “the positive case didn’t have a travel history, therefore, we can assume that the Delta variant may still be and is likely to be lurking within the territory”.
“Universally, studies are showing that the Delta variant is affecting unvaccinated persons at a much greater percentage than persons who are vaccinated. Typically vaccinated people are either asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms if they do come in contact with the Delta variant,” the minister stated.
“In the United States, as of July 22, 2021, 97 percent of persons hospitalised with COVID-19 were unvaccinated … Locally, our very own statistics have provided us with similar results. The majority of those adversely affected by COVID were unvaccinated, this is why, I as your Minister for Health will continue to encourage the unvaccinated persons in our community to get vaccinated,” Malone added.
Meanwhile, the BVI’s COVID-19 epidemiological summary dated August 18, shows that the territory’s total number of recorded cases stands at 2,568. Of that number, 31 are active cases — four of whom are currently hospitalised.
The territory’s COVID death told current rests at 37 persons.
According to Health Minister Carvin Malone who delivered a COVID update this week, “the positive case didn’t have a travel history, therefore, we can assume that the Delta variant may still be and is likely to be lurking within the territory”.
“Universally, studies are showing that the Delta variant is affecting unvaccinated persons at a much greater percentage than persons who are vaccinated. Typically vaccinated people are either asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms if they do come in contact with the Delta variant,” the minister stated.
“In the United States, as of July 22, 2021, 97 percent of persons hospitalised with COVID-19 were unvaccinated … Locally, our very own statistics have provided us with similar results. The majority of those adversely affected by COVID were unvaccinated, this is why, I as your Minister for Health will continue to encourage the unvaccinated persons in our community to get vaccinated,” Malone added.
Meanwhile, the BVI’s COVID-19 epidemiological summary dated August 18, shows that the territory’s total number of recorded cases stands at 2,568. Of that number, 31 are active cases — four of whom are currently hospitalised.
The territory’s COVID death told current rests at 37 persons.
