Delta variant in BVI only a matter of time and deaths could have tripled
The entry of COVID-19’s dangerous and highly transmissible delta variant into the BVI is only a matter of time.
Not only that but had it arrived sooner, the more than three dozen deaths that happened during the BVI’s recent COVID-19 surge would have likely tripled.
This was the view of Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Ronald Georges at a recent COVID-19 update to the territory. He said the delta variant is already all around the region and has been found in St Vincent, Anguilla, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
The CMO also warned residents that the delta variant is much more infections and carries a higher death rate than the existing COVID strain found in the BVI.
“If we had delta when we had our outbreak, we could expect to have had maybe three times as many cases and three times as many deaths,” the CMO said.
He said everyone needs to be responsible and advised that residents have to get back to rebuilding the foundation of established public health measures.
Dr Georges pointed to the many social gatherings during the Emancipation holidays and said the territory would not want to backslide to where it was previously.
“If we backslide there, with delta, it’s going to be a lot worse,” he warned.
BVI’s high rate of chronic diseases increase COVID morbidity
Meanwhile, Dr Georges expressed concern after it was observed that some recovering cases were beginning to experience what he described as “long COVID”. This meant persons were facing prolonged symptoms of the COVID-19 virus.
He also alluded to the very high rate of chronic diseases in the BVI – particularly diabetes, hypertension and obesity – and noted that these increase the morbidity and mortality rates of COVID-19.
He said this was found in some cases and was taking a little longer to clear.
Referring to the BVI’s recent outbreak as a wake-up call, Dr Georges said the territory has had a difficult lesson which he hoped would be taken to heart by residents.
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Makesure you’re all vaccinated. If not vaccinate and still vaccinate…
Not only the emancipation activities also the senseless motorcade sanctioned, authorized and implemented by our government. Nothing wrong with celebrating the achievement of the Olympians but to do it while they not present was a waste of time and money. We could have found a safer and most cost effective way to honor the trio. How can we tighten our belts when the government is saying we can break the protocols when the government give accent. Are we really serious as a government. I guess we missed the carnival. Smt.
Delta is here
Delta Been Here.Last year was Covid and had 1 death This year still Covid and 37 deaths..All the people that Die this year was around when Covid hit .The Country opened with a Stronger Dose of Spirit and Delta Followed and made a Mess..These Politrickians Should Stop Fooling Grown Folks..
scare tactics…well how come st.thomas deaths and numbers aint tripled yet?
St. Thomas numbers are creeping up. That said, about 50% of the population has been vaccinated. More once mandates are implemented. Not taking the vaccine is no different than refusing antibiotics so you don’t die of syphillis.
Cuz we’re 55% vaccinated. BVI ain’t
Because STT have been treating their patients who are experiencing extreme covid. The BVI does not have any treatments for their patients. Once they go on the ventilator that’s it. Why they don’t discuss this with the public?
Keep posting nonsense so everyone can see you are a Covidiot
umm, do you know what a ventilator is??
#IvermectinSavesLives
delta kill you been vaccinated or not so stop youh all been dumbs!!
What in the name of English did you just say, Please
Crap. Why do you idiots keep posting this ignorance.
The vaccines protect again delta. And the vaccinated do not die, just as they didn’t die with the Alpha we just had.
There is no cure for idiot. You will boil them they will still taste idiot. You will smoke them they will smell idiot. No cure, no hope, NADA! Lol
If you think that Delta is in USVI and not here then you are f**king crazy! Secondly, the way COVID took people off their feet, some died within a few days of feeling a bit ill, we are supposed to believe it was just the normal strain passing through here? If it’s not the Delta then it was certainly worst, don’t try to scare me that Delta is worst than what we went through because I don’t think that is possible.
It is more easily transmitted so more people catch it.
So more get very ill and more die.
Protection from vaccination is the about same as for normal Covid-19.
LONDON, July 21 (Reuters) – Two doses of Pfizer or AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine are nearly as effective against the highly transmissible Delta coronavirus variant as they are against the previously dominant Alpha variant, a study published on Wednesday showed.
Officials say vaccines are highly effective against the Delta variant, now the dominant variant worldwide, though the study reiterated that one shot of the vaccines is not enough for high protection.
The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, confirms headline findings given by Public Health England in May about the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca, based on real-world data.
It seems like people in BVI only use the internet for facebook. The delta is becoming thr dominant strain the world over. The samples from patients Here in the BVI did NOT type as delta. This outbreak was done in a couple weeks. If you didnt know Covid was this bad…what can I say. Google it. Youtube it. People here feel the BVI immune to things. Its not ! Delta spreads at least 3 times as quickly. The data shows that. Not me google it. And guess what – what you think or how you feel doesn’t affect the truth. And the truth is delta aint here yet !!! But it will get here soon. And those vaccinated will be ok. They will NOT die. Astra protects from hospitalization and death. And those who may die. Will die of Covid pneumonia mostly….again Google it. People here feel that they know more than the world experts ! Please get vaccinated….don’t die of arrogance and stupidity…The antivaxxers have their rights . But just refuse the vaccine if so desire and HUSH stop talking all this BS. Are you all wait in ng for an antivaxxer to get Covid and die to stop the BS…..
Gov’t needs to stop lying to its people! COVID done been here since Nov. Dec. 2019. Delta variant is already here as it is in the actual experimental medicine (vaccine). What about the false positives/false negatives from PCR tests. CDC releases recent statement that vaccinated people are the ones shedding/spreading the virus (bacteria). Are deaths in hospital actual covid deaths are from some other underlying medical issue? NUMBERS ARE NOT ADDING UP!!!
So all of a sudden 37 people die in the BVI over a few weeks and we must view it as normal. They die not because of covid but because of underlying conditions.
Continue to subscribe to the nonsense about 99% of who catch covid survive.
Tell that to the B family.
Still they spout their nonsense, the vaccine deniers, after 18 months of incontrovertible evidence from CDC and PHE UK about the efficacy of vaccines. What is their agenda? Population reduction? Long Covid for all? These comments are criminal in intent, or evidence of insanity. We got lucky this time round, with a breathtaking virtuoso performance from BionTech and AZ. The next one may not be so benevolent. Bird flu anyone?
What in the name of English did you just say, Please
I knew long time this was coming……Smh .I need that booster Shot.Nowwwwwww !!!!!!!!!!
Vaccinate or not. This Delta will surprise We…..Smh
How long does the vaccine last in your body?? And no it’s not a lifetime. So please let me know
Every time i see a headline about covid i go straight to comment section. I am more entertained by these idiots and misinformed who are not aware of what is happening around them. It is more fun than CoI. Lol
BVINEWS does have some awkward headlines messon…
Stop spreading fear and negativity trying to distract the people..Our last breakouts with this much death was from the Funeral cantamination in Sea Cows Bay that government igonred, by the time the signs of illness start showing most of those who died were too far gone….
The funeral was in April, cases upticked at the end of June. Are you f**king mental?
Huh?