Bryan said U.S. Virgin Islands began local COVID-19 testing

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said in a video address published April 1, 2020, that the U.S. Virgin Islands had begun local testing for COVID-19 after testing materials arrived in the territory.

Bryan said the territory's lab was operational and could return results in 24 hours or less. He said the territory had received additional testing media and 500 extra tests, allowing health officials to increase testing. He said officials could test 30 cases a day.

Bryan reported that of 201 suspected cases being tested, 30 had tested positive, 130 had tested negative and 41 were pending results.

He also said the territory had received another shipment of personal protective equipment and expected more shipments in the coming weeks.

Bryan urged residents to avoid beaches and follow social-distancing guidelines. He said the government planned to use sound trucks to spread public-health information.

He said the Army Corps of Engineers reviewed both hospital sites on March 31, 2020, and that officials were assessing what additional hospital resources might be needed. Bryan said no patients confirmed positive for the coronavirus were receiving care in either hospital at that time.

Bryan also said he met with officials at Limetree regarding screening and other precautions at the refinery. He said there would be no additional shipments of workers into the territory for the project until further notice and that anyone returning from vacation or work there would be subject to a 14-day quarantine.

He said the administration was considering additional restrictions for the Easter holiday and was also weighing whether beauticians and barbers could operate by appointment only. Bryan said a decision on personal grooming professionals was expected by April 3, 2020.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-says-territory-now-has-covid-19-tests/