Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Study: Hurricanes Irma & Maria resulted in hundreds of deaths

Study: Hurricanes Irma & Maria resulted in hundreds of deaths

A new study published by the American Journal of Public Health has drastically increased the death toll resulting from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the territory as reported by the United States Virgin Islands Government, which, as of today, still stands at 5.
According to the report, first published by Bloomberg News, the actual number of storm-related deaths is possibly several hundreds. Following the 2017 storms which devastated the islands’ medical facilities, around 800 patients needing care - most of whom were dialysis patients - had to be evacuated to several states.

“There is general agreement that the U.S. failed to provide aggressive, post-hurricane support in Puerto Rico,” says Dr. Glenn Morris, who is the study’s corresponding author and a professor of infectious diseases in University of Florida’s College of Medicine. “But what our paper does is document for the first time that this was a huge problem in the U.S. Virgin Islands too.”

During a Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services hearing Friday, senators received testimony regarding the state of hemodialysis at both of the territory’s hospital. Officials from the Schneider Regional Medical Center said that the hospital’s dialysis system was mostly undamaged. However, the Juan F. Luis Hospital operation was all but destroyed, and there was a mass removal of patients from JFL to mainland facilities.

In response to a line of questioning by Sen. Kenneth Gittens, Tasnim Khan, director of the hemodialysis unit at JFL, stated that twelve patients died after the storms, and dialysis treatment resumed in 2018. That number appears to be a local count, as deaths of Virgin Islands dialysis patients sent off-island after the storms rose significantly in months after they were evacuated. In May 2018, the number of patients sent away for care who died was 49. There has not been an official count ever since.

According to JFL officials, the hospital is currently providing treatment to 90 hemodialysis patients in one out of two temporary dialysis trailers contracted and provided by the federal government. The second trailer is expected to be operable in a few weeks pending safety inspections and required equipment.

Johan Coto, hemodialysis patient at JFL shared challenges that patients endure. “The biggest hurdle facing dialysis patients is the constant opposition from the current administration at JFL. As patients, we try to be a part of the process in terms of treatment facilities yet there is a lack of response to the information requested by patients to the administration. There is no attempt to be transparent,” said Mr. Coto, who suffers from renal failure for 21 years and is a patient at JFL for the past 15 years.

“This discussion leaves me with a heavy heart because everyone is an episode away from illness,” said Senate President Novelle Francis. “We as leaders have to provide our people with hope to bring relief and services to them. Stakeholders must collaborate to address the concerns discussed in this hearing.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
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
×