Bryan delayed in-person public school classes until Jan. 24 and ordered virtual instruction to begin Jan. 10

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said on Jan. 4 that public school students in the U.S. Virgin Islands would not return to classrooms until Jan. 24, delaying in-person instruction as the territory monitored the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Bryan said all public school students in pre-K through 12 would resume classes online on Jan. 10. He also said all Education Department personnel were to report to their schools beginning Jan. 7.

Private and parochial schools were advised to consult the Health Department on the best course of action for their students, faculty and staff.

Bryan said government agencies and departments would resume regular operating hours on Jan. 10.

At the briefing, Health Department Medical Director Dr. Tai Hunte-Ceasar said the territory had a high number of active cases but also was recording a high number of daily recoveries.

Government House reported that as of Jan. 3, the territory had a seven-day positivity rate of 24.34% and 2,111 active cases, including 998 on St. Croix, 1,017 on St. Thomas and 92 on St. John. It said 10,290 people had tested positive since the pandemic began, 8,090 had recovered and 89 had died.

Government House also reported that three COVID-19 patients were hospitalized at Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix and seven were hospitalized at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas, including two on ventilators.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-postpones-in-person-learning-to-january-24-school-for-all-students-resumes-online-on-january-10/