After more than two years of continuous and ongoing efforts in maintaining a COVID-19 free environment at the Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged residential facility for seniors on St. Croix during the pandemic, the Department of Human Services, and the Grigg Home staff are confirming that eight clients have tested positive for the virus.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged (HGH) managers and staff have been diligent in taking the extra precautions by adhering to the Home’s COVID-19 policy and procedures which have included mandatory masking, social/physical distancing (when possible), COVID-19 vaccinations for all residents, providing updated education to staff about the COVID-19 virus and the vaccinations. Recently the no-visitation policy was relaxed, with weekly COVID-19 testing for both residents and staff.
However, even with this combined approach of preventative actions, eight clients were identified as positive for the COVID-19 virus during testing today.
Due to the stringent virus screening protocols already in place, the medical staff at the Grigg Home were able to identify and rapidly respond with treatment to the affected clients. It also received immediate assistance from the Department of Health’s Epidemiology team, to ensure the proper COVID-19 measures were being implemented at the site and to make sure individual medical assessments were being completed in effort to isolate further infections.
Human Services leadership together with Department of Health will continue to meet regularly to discuss the daily strategy of addressing effective methods of combatting the spread of coronavirus at the facility. The Grigg Home staff has also notified the family members of the eight residents who tested positive. These individuals have been moved into isolation in a separate wing of the Herbert Grigg Home, and they will continue to receive enhanced medical care and supervision treatment there.
Until further notice, the Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged will not accept visitors on the campus.
Dr. Tai Hunte-Ceasar, DOH medical director and Territorial Infectious Disease specialist, commended Department of Human Services and their rapid response utilizing test to treat. Because of this program and DHS’s quick response, individuals that tested positive were able to receive immediate treatment with the most effective available therapeutics.
For general information, visit the Department of Human Services website at www.dhs.gov.vi or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/usvidhs).
For more information on COVID-19, the new strain of coronavirus, visit the USVI Department of Health’s website at www.doh.vi.gov/coronavirus or text COVID19USVI to 888777. #COVID19USVI
