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The deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak ravaging much of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) continues, however, confirmatory tests today (July 26) are declaring the advanced community spread phase being experienced is not attributable to the Delta variant.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development, in a statement on Monday, indicated that “no variants of concern or variants of interest” were identified in the results of 37 COVID-19 samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for genetic typing.

However, Acting Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Ronald Georges, in his remarks, said, “The variant identified is predominantly found in the United States.”

In the statement published by the Government of the British Virgin Islands, Dr Georges did not provide clarity with regards to the variant in question.

The Delta variant, first detected in India, has since spread globally and is confirmed in several Caribbean countries and territories including the Cayman Islands, Barbados, Cuba, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands so far.

He further noted that additional samples were sent this week and samples will continue to be sent for genetic typing and verification by CARPHA on an ongoing basis as part of both quality control and to determine if any new variants of concern are circulating in the United Kingdom-governed territory.

According to Dr Georges, the ministry will continue to ensure that there is ongoing surveillance and monitoring of the current outbreak.

“While the current outbreak at this time does not appear to be associated with the Delta variant, we must still remain vigilant. The breakdown in compliance with public health measures and general level of complacency prior to the outbreak no doubt contributed to the large expansion of cases that was observed,” Dr Georges stated.

He further explained that the public should take personal responsibility to adhere to public health measures, stay at home orders and quarantine guidelines.

“Positive cases should adhere to the full quarantine requirements to limit the spread of COVID-19. All cases should ensure that they follow the isolation guidelines and persons should take every opportunity to get vaccinated,” Dr Georges said.

Once a ‘safe haven’ from the pandemic with its low infections, strict entry protocols and high vaccination rates, the British Virgin Islands has emerged as the newest COVID-19 hotspot in the Eastern Caribbean.

The BVI, confirming another 179 new cases as at Saturday, grapples with a coronavirus caseload of 2,389—1,109 infections or some 46 per cent of which are active.

The health ministry, in a breakdown of the COVID-19 cases, indicated that the greatest proportion of infections was on the main island of Tortuga (946), followed in tow by Virgin Gorda (96), vessels docked in the territory (35), Jost Van Dyke (28) and Anegada (four).

The death toll due to COVID-related complications in the BVI has increased to 25, while some 1,255 persons have recovered from the infectious disease.

British Virgin Islands has administered at least 26,501 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs two doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 44.1% of the territory’s population and is currently among one of the highest rates across the Caribbean.