Gov. Albert Bryan announced he has declared a state of emergency and canceled Saturday’s St. Croix St. Patrick’s Day Parade after confirming six individuals are being monitored by health officials, with one hospitalized, for potential exposure to the new COVID-19 coronavirus. He stressed there are no confirmed cases in the Virgin Islands during a press conference Friday at Government House.
(Press conference can be viewed at the Government House Facebook page here.)
“As of today, we have no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the Virgin Islands, but we know it’s only a matter of time, “he said. “I declare a state of urgency in the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
The governor instructed the public to stay home if sick and to call 340-712-6299 or 340-776-1519 if they think they are infected. Symptoms included a high fever, coughing, but not a runny nose, according to Bryan.
Only those infected in an emergency situation should go to the hospital and those with milder cases should stay home, wash their hands frequently and “socially distance” themselves by keeping six feet away from others, he said.
“We will come to you,” he said, adding to stay home unless instructed by medical personnel to go to the emergency room.
A formal state of emergency declaration allows the government to access special funding, freeze prices and put a moratorium on mass gatherings. The governor then announced the cancellation of Saturday’s St. Croix’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. A decision on holding the St. Thomas Carnival will be made at a later date, he said. Public schools won’t be closed now, because of the burden placed on working parents and children who need school meals. Closing the schools could be among the “next steps.”
Bryan placed Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion in authority over agencies and health facilities. She said 1,000 test kits and approval of St. Croix’s testing laboratory are expected “any day now.”
