The Department of Health (D.O.H) reported 20 news cases of the virus yesterday, with St. Thomas showing most with 17, while St. Croix recorded three positive cases. D.O.H. said another ten people recovered yesterday making it 30 recoveries in three days. The department as of yesterday was tracking 108 active cases: 39 on St. Croix, 67 in St. Thomas, and two on St. John. So far, 10,387 tests have been performed, with 9,874 returning negative and 501 positives.
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. thanked members of the 33rd Legislature who participated in the Senate’s Committee of the Whole hearing about the contract negotiations between the Virgin Islands Department of Health and Avera to provide contact-tracing services during the COVID-19 epidemic. In addition to inquiring about the process of the Department of Health negotiating with Avera, senators asked questions about an agreement through DPNR for The Strategy Group to distribute about $10 million in federal funds to fishers for damages to their businesses from the hurricanes of 2017.
Colorado State University issued an updated forecast. They now expect the hurricane season to be "extremely active." Temperatures and very low wind shear in the tropical Atlantic are primary factors in increasing its forecast. The project team is predicting 24 named storms in 2020, including the nine named storms that have already formed. Of those, researchers expect 12 to become hurricanes, including the two that have already formed, and five to reach major hurricane strength – categories 3, 4, and 5 winds of 111 miles per hour or greater. Twelve hurricanes are the most CSU has ever predicted in their August forecast.
In an effort to effectively meet the technology needs of public school students, the Virgin Islands Department of Education requests the cooperation of parents with students enrolled in USVI public schools to complete the “Home Technology Information Form,” found at the “COVID-19 Forms” link on the Department’s website, www.vide.vi. The survey is available in both English and Spanish, and is a follow-up to a similar survey issued to students in March. The requested information will assist the Department of Education in meeting the needs of students requiring laptop computers and home internet access for school year 2020-2021.