Bryan says more than 50% of Virgin Islands residents had received a first COVID-19 vaccine dose

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said during a Government House briefing on May 24, 2021, that 39,871 residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands had received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, representing 50.2% of the population, and that 31,645 people were fully vaccinated, or 39.9% of the population.

At the briefing, Bryan also said the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources and other Virgin Islands agencies had identified an open manhole cover at the Anguilla Landfill as the source of odors affecting St. Croix residents. He said the investigation would continue to confirm the cause.

Bryan also commented on 2021 graduation ceremonies, saying schools and organizers had provided a safe experience for students during the pandemic.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Department of Finance issued a fourth batch of 10,000 stimulus checks totaling $23,420,288 on May 20, 2021, according to Government House.

Government House reported that, as of May 22, 2021, the territory had a 3.23% COVID-19 positivity rate and 77 active cases: eight on St. Croix, 64 on St. Thomas and five on St. John. It said 111,921 people had been tested to date, with 3,353 positive results, 3,249 recoveries and 27 deaths.

No COVID-19 patients were hospitalized at Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix as of May 22, 2021, according to the release. Four COVID-19 patients were hospitalized at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas, and none were on ventilators.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-praises-class-of-2021-graduates-and-investigation-into-cause-of-odor-affecting-st-croix-residents/