After a Covid-19 spike sparked a limit on social gatherings last week, the number of active cases dropped to 899 from a peak of at least 1,387, according to numbers …
January 21, 2022
January 13, 2022
Schools delay opening, stay online
Public schools remain closed for in-person learning at the start of the new semester as cases of Covid-19 continue to increase in the territory. “We started online because of the …
January 13, 2022
Omicron brought new Covid surge
The number of active Covid-19 cases in the Virgin Islands rose yesterday to 1,387, marking the second-largest surge since the pandemic started, according to numbers released by government. Numbers have …
January 7, 2022
New Covid surge brings 40th death
In recent weeks, the territory has seen the second-largest spike in Covid-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic, with 958 active cases as of the government’s most recent Covid-19 …
December 16, 2021
Another Covid-19 death recorded
Another person has died with Covid-19, and the number of known active cases jumped to 77 Monday from 40 on Dec. 3, according to government’s latest announcements. “One additional death …
December 9, 2021
Covid cases at ESHS close school for now
After students tested positive for Covid-19, the Elmore Stoutt High School closed both its campuses last week and asked students to continue online schooling for the rest of the term, …
December 3, 2021
Premier pushed for EZ Shipping border barges, guv says
In a move that cost taxpayers more than $2 million, Premier Andrew Fahie authorised the use of three barges owned by EZ Shipping for border security during the Covid-19 pandemic …
Continue reading “Premier pushed for EZ Shipping border barges, guv says”
November 25, 2021
Concert attendees test positive for Covid
On Nov. 13, hundreds of people crowded around a stage at the Festival Village Grounds to watch performances during a show called the Fish Fete. Many of them weren’t wearing …
Continue reading “Concert attendees test positive for Covid”
November 22, 2021
EDITORIAL: As tourists return, Covid rules still essential
Tourists are back, and the coming high season promises a big economic boost if the Virgin Islands can manage to stay safe and emerge from the pandemic without another major …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: As tourists return, Covid rules still essential”
November 18, 2021
Entry rules relaxed for vaxxed travellers
On Tuesday government Gazetted new protocols for entering the territory, lifting the requirement for fully vaccinated travellers to test for Covid-19 upon arrival. They must, however, take a Covid-19 test …
Continue reading “Entry rules relaxed for vaxxed travellers”
October 26, 2021
Covid curfew lifts as tourism reboots
On Oct. 15, crowd-size restrictions were eased and the territory-wide curfew was completely lifted for the first time since the July spike in Covid-19 cases. “Cabinet met on Wednesday and …
October 15, 2021
New batch of vaccines arrives
An additional 2,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine arrived in the territory on Oct. 7 from the United Kingdom, ending the brief gap in availability from when the last batch …
October 14, 2021
Premier dodges Commission of Inquiry questions during testy hearing on Covid stimulus
As the Covid-19 pandemic continued to batter the Virgin Islands economy in September 2020, Premier Andrew Fahie authorised a system of distributing stimulus grants to religious organisations and schools, he …
October 1, 2021
Covid cluster found on Virgin Gorda
A “large cluster” of Covid-19 cases was found among workers from a construction company on Virgin Gorda, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronald Georges announced on Saturday. “Regrettably, the large number …
September 30, 2021
EDITORIAL: Mental health crises are a big red flag
We were deeply troubled to hear police warn recently that mental health crises are on the rise in the territory after they rescued a hospital patient from the water in …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Mental health crises are a big red flag”
September 27, 2021
Vaccinated can soon skip BVI Gateway
Starting Oct. 1, fully vaccinated travellers entering the territory will no longer have to register online through the BVI Gateway portal, Premier Andrew Fahie announced Tuesday night on Virgin Islands …
September 18, 2021
First cruise ship to arrive Oct. 7
The Norwegian Gem is scheduled to call in Tortola on Oct. 7 carrying as many as 3,130 passengers, but the government still hasn’t unveiled the details of the protocols they …
September 1, 2021
COMMENTARY — Mandatory vaccines expected for some
Mandatory vaccination makes a significant cross-section of the general public uncomfortable. However, for the Virgin Islands to participate in the worldwide travel and tourism economy, the territory must achieve herd …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Mandatory vaccines expected for some”
August 20, 2021
EDITORIAL: Incentives a good bet to boost vaccine pace
We are greatly relieved that the number of active Covid-19 cases has fallen rapidly in recent weeks. But this good news has also brought a shadow of concern: Following a …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Incentives a good bet to boost vaccine pace”
August 13, 2021
All schools allowed to bring back students
The new academic year is fast approaching, and government announced this week that all private and public schools will be permitted to have students return for in-person instruction. The recent …
Continue reading “All schools allowed to bring back students”
August 7, 2021
New USVI-based health services chair approved
During an emergency meeting on July 29, the House of Assembly approved the appointment of a new BVI Health Services Authority Board chairman, Moleto Smith Jr., who is based in …
Continue reading “New USVI-based health services chair approved”
July 30, 2021
Government drafts guidelines for Covid-19 burials
The Ministry of Health and Social Development has instituted new rules for burying people who have died with Covid-19. According to the guidelines, public viewings at churches, sanctuaries or funeral …
Continue reading “Government drafts guidelines for Covid-19 burials”
July 30, 2021
Active Covid cases trend downward as deaths rise to 31
After sequencing 37 samples of Covid-19 from the Virgin Islands, the Caribbean Public Health Agency did not detect the highly contagious delta variant that officials had suspected was to blame …
Continue reading “Active Covid cases trend downward as deaths rise to 31”
July 26, 2021
Premier meets with UNDP representatives
Premier Andrew Fahie met virtually with United Nations Development Programme officials this month to discuss continued collaboration between the Virgin Islands and the UNDP on Covid-19 response, sustainable development, resilience …
July 26, 2021
EDITORIAL: Vaccine drive is a good move
The evidence is clear. Covid-19 vaccinations save lives, and they probably could have prevented most, if not all, of the tragic deaths from the disease the territory has seen so …