Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Health Officials confirm that COVID Delta variant was in BVI!

Health Officials confirm that COVID Delta variant was in BVI!

Less than two weeks after Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Ronald Georges said residents could not blame the territory’s deadly COVID-19 outbreak on the delta variant, health officials have now announced that the variant was in the BVI.

At the peak of the BVI’s outbreak, the territory saw a little more than 1,600 cases and some 36 COVID-related deaths; all within an approximate six weeks.

In a release issued Sunday, August 15, the Ministry of Health & Social Development confirmed that one COVID-19 sample tested positive for the delta variant.

The CMO reported that out of eight COVID-19 samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for genetic assessment on August 4, one sample tested positive for the delta variant (B.1.617.2).

All other samples, the release stated, identified no variants of concern or interest.

Importantly, Dr Georges said the identified case had no travel history and the household in which that case resided included two other positive contacts.

He said one of these contacts met the criteria for sequencing and tested negative for the delta variant.

“These cases and contacts were all quarantined and cleared in accordance with established protocols,” Dr Georges said.

No variants of concern found in previous samples sent to CARPHA


In a COVID-19 update to the territory a few weeks ago, Dr Georges said samples sent to CARPHA at that time did not show any variants of concern.

The CMO later said if the BVI had the delta variant during the recent outbreak, the territory could have expected to see three times as many cases, and three times as many deaths.

In an effort to help curb the spread of the virus during the outbreak, the BVI government instituted a curfew order and instructed several business establishments to remain closed during that period.

Most businesses have since been allowed to reopen as health officials continue to monitor cases.

In the meantime, the CMO has again advised the community to continue to take personal responsibility and adhere to public health measures and quarantine guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19.

He said all positive cases should ensure they follow the isolation guidelines and continue to take every opportunity to get vaccinated.

According to the latest reports from health officials, active cases have since fallen to 46 persons with some seven persons currently hospitalized with the virus.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
×