Government House announced July 20 launch of territorywide walking challenge

Government House said on July 11, 2022, that Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. would launch "Walk Out Wednesday" on July 20 as the first territorywide event under the Office of the Governor’s "Our Best Life Health and Wellness" initiative.

Communications Director Richard Motta Jr. said during the weekly Government House briefing that the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation would lead the event. He said the walking fitness challenge was open to all ages and called for one day of walking for two miles over six weeks.

According to Government House, participants would receive an "Our Best Life" T-shirt, wristband and towel.

On St. Croix, walkers were scheduled to meet at Midre Cummings Park at 5:30 p.m. and walk to Frederiksted Pool. On St. Thomas, the route was set to begin at Griffith Park and continue to Yacht Haven Grande and back. On St. John, walkers were scheduled to begin at the Virgin Islands National Park ballpark and walk to Caneel Bay Hotel and back.

At the same briefing, Government House said the Department of Human Services had announced Pandemic Emergency Assistance funding for Virgin Islands families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The funds were to be issued between July and September.

Government House also said the Virgin Islands Diabetes Center of Excellence would hold a free Diabetes Health Fair from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 30 at the City of Refuge Convention Center in Barren Spot on St. Croix.

Motta also said the application deadline for the GVI Financial Fellows program was July 15.

Government House reported a 10.5% seven-day COVID-19 positivity rate as of July 11, with 178 active cases and 120 deaths in the territory. It said four COVID-19 patients were hospitalized at Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix and two were hospitalized at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas, including one on a ventilator.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-introduces-walk-out-wednesday-as-part-of-our-best-life-health-and-wellness-initiative/