The Bureau of Corrections has a detainee at the Farrelly Criminal Complex on St. Thomas who tested positive for the coronavirus. This was the first confirmed case of COVID- 19 infection at any B.O.C facility. The Bureau requested that the V.I. Department of Health immediately conduct COVID-19 testing of all staff and inmates at the St. Thomas Jail and learned a total of 19 other persons at the St. Thomas Jail have tested positive for the coronavirus. Three B.O.C staff test positive. For the protection of its staff, their families, and inmates, B.O.C has mandated that all staff at the St. Thomas Jail get tested for COVID-19 within the next 48 hours. There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection at the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility on St. Croix (“Golden Grove”). B.O.C is closely monitoring inmates and staff at Golden Grove for any symptoms.
After proactively engaging with the Department of Health to test all staff and residents at both Department of Human Services Homes (DHS) for the Aged facilities in St. Croix and St. Thomas, DHS is now working with the Department of Health on a growing number of positive results in St. Thomas. Test results on August 12, 2020, revealed several Queen Louise staff and residents returned positive. Of 17 residents tested, 10 returned positive results, and of 25 Queen Louise staff tested, six tested positive. The residents who tested negative will be relocated to non-congregate sheltering to maintain their negative status and good health. Re-testing will occur in accordance with guidance from the lead Epidemiologist with the Department of Health. The residents who tested positive are thus far asymptomatic or displaying only mild symptoms. All are being closely monitored and treated by the multi-disciplinary team. None of the residents have required hospitalization. Staff who tested positive are in quarantine and only displaying mild symptoms thus far and have not required hospitalization. With the significant increase in cases in St. Thomas and the reality that facility staff must move about in the community, DHS is maintaining strict mitigation policies and procedures, while keeping a close eye on staff and residents. The DOH's collaborative approach is proving critical as the department leverage knowledge and resources to address the reality of the pandemic in the USVI. The Knud Hansen Complex in St. Thomas remains closed, in an abundance of caution and for sanitization after one staff member tested positive at the administrative office complex.
The Bureau of Motor (BMV) launched a new online appointment system. The online appointment system will allow customers to make appointments entirely online, for driver’s licenses, identification cards, disabled person placards, learners permit, written test, and road test.
Scheduling appointments online is fast and easy:
• First, go to bmv.vi.gov
• Choose your location
• Enter your personal information
• Select the type of service, date, and time
• Customer will then receive confirmation and reminders via text
For more information, please visit bmv.vi.gov