The Government of the Virgin Islands continues to encourage residents to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 as the Territory records 13 active cases of the virus.

Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone stated that this figure continues to slowly climb as the hard working Public Health team conducts their contact tracing exercises resulting from the infected person who attended the funeral on March 27.

“While no drastic actions are required at this time, it is prudent to allow the mass testing scheduled for the 6^th through the 8^th of April to be completed and avoid any inadvertent spread of the virus,” Honourable Malone said.

The Health Minister said that he will be updating the Territory on COVID-19 test results; the receipt and administration of additional AstraZeneca vaccines; the decision of Cabinet to reduce crowd sizes for all events, and the very strong advice to consider the cancellation of the Easter weekend’s group or crowd activities and the importance of observing of all health and safety protocols.

Honourable Malone urged residents to protect themselves, protect those around them, and protect the Territory by getting vaccinated. 

“Vaccination provides clear benefits to individuals, your connections, your community, and the Territory,” He said while commending the Government of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Dominica for their assistance in supplying the Territory with shipments of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The Minister for Health further added, “Our sea borders are on schedule to reopen on Thursday, April 15 and all efforts are aimed at maintaining as safe a Territory as possible. “I am in contact with Health agencies and Health Ministers throughout the region and the common theme is VIGILANCE. Remember DO NOT PROCRASTINATE--- VACCINATE.”

Meanwhile, the public is advised that the vaccination process is now open to everyone. Persons who have not received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine are encouraged to do so at one of the locations throughout the Territory.

A Government-issued form of identification such as driver’s licence, passport or NHI card must be presented before vaccine is administered.