Government House: Pay Attention To Personal Health, Limit Family Gatherings

Taking on a seasonal tone, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. focused on the territory’s overall health and well-being during Monday’s Government House weekly press briefing, spotlighting mental health and diabetes awareness aside from the Department of Health’s push for herd immunity achieved through COVID-19 vaccinations.

This week marks “family table time, the beginning of our Thanksgiving and Christmas season. It’s a joyous time for us, one that we celebrate with family and friends, and of course, eat good food. My ask of you this season is to discuss with your loved ones the manner in which you celebrate. It is important to limit gatherings to small groups, wear a mask over your nose and mouth, wash your hands frequently, and most importantly, get vaccinated to protect your family,” Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion said.

The U.S. Virgin Islands “needs to increase community immunity,” Encarnacion said as there are 94 active cases – 80 in St. Croix, 12 in St. Thomas, and two in St. John. But “everyone ages five and older can get vaccinated,” and everyone 18 years and older is now eligible for a booster shot. Ages 50 years and older are recommended to receive one.

Becoming vaccinated is “not just about getting COVID,” Bryan said, but it is also about being considerate and mindful that the territory is not “burning our nurses out” and depleting resources. “That’s the concern, and that should be our concern.”

While Bryan and his administration ask all residents to become vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, he added it was at the sole discretion of each individual – their choice.

“I really think it’s a person’s personal choice whether they want to take the vaccine or not. I realize it was driving a rift in our community by putting the people who are vaccinated against the people who aren’t vaccinated. That’s just not good,” Bryan said.

Instead, he added vaccinations should be encouraged and incentivized, “but if they don’t want to take the vaccine, they are on their own.”

To view a list of testing sites or to pre-register for pop-up testing, visit the Department of Health’s website or call the hotline: St Croix 340-712-6299 St. Thomas/ St. John 340-776-1519.

Encarnacion said President Joseph Biden Jr. and his staff have “prioritized increasing equity and access to vaccines,” though the territory’s overall vaccination rate pales compared to Puerto Rico, which “has one of the highest vaccination rates per jurisdiction.”