The territory’s COVID-19 tragic death toll climbed to 83 Thursday with the death of a 50-year-old St. Croix woman, the Department of Health reports. Wednesday, a 59-year-old St. Croix man became the 82nd confirmed fatality within the territory. The actual number is higher, as some sought care outside the territory.
For much of the pandemic, St. Thomas was hit harder, and it has seen 46 fatalities, while St. Croix is at 34 to date. But recently, most fatalities have been on St. Croix. Since Oct. 1, St. Croix went from 24 to 34 fatalities, while St. Thomas went from 44 to 46.
A majority of U.S. Virgin Islands COVID-19 deaths have taken place in the past three months, long after several free, safe and effective vaccines against the illness became readily available throughout the territory. The Health Department has not reported whether the most recent person to die was vaccinated and the department does not release individual case information for privacy reasons.
To date, there has been only one report of a vaccinated Virgin Islander dying of the illness, and Health Department officials have repeatedly said almost none of the Virgin Islanders hospitalized for the illness were unvaccinated. This means a majority of USVI COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations were preventable.
There are no confirmed reports of any Virgin Islander dying or suffering long-term effects from the several COVID-19 vaccines.
The community is urged to continue following precautionary measures to slow the spread of the virus, including social distancing, wearing a mask when in the company of others outside of your household, cleaning frequently used areas thoroughly, and washing your hands often with soap and warm water.
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine can prevent severe illness and death, local, national and worldwide health officials have long emphasized. To schedule an appointment, call 340-777-8227 or visit covid19usvi.com/vaccines. Walk-ins are also accepted at the territory’s Community Vaccination Centers.
St. Croix’s Community Vaccination Center is at the Nissan Center in Estate La Grande Princesse, adjacent to the Honda Dealership and The Paint Shop, on the same side of the street as Food Town.
On St. Thomas, the Community Vaccination Center is at the Community Health Clinic on the second floor at the Schneider Regional Medical Center.
To report a suspected case of COVID-19, call 340-712-6299 or 340-776-1519. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. For more information, visit covid19usvi.com. For COVID 19 updates, text COVID19USVI to 888777.