Community
Governor Bryan Initiates ‘Open Doors” Phase Of Territory’s Reopening from COVID-19
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — During his COVID-19 briefing Thursday, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. said he is initiating the blue “Open Doors” phase on the Territory’s path back to normalcy effective June 1.
“This simply means that we will allow the prohibitions on leisure travel to expire, making it easier for potential tourists to book vacations to the Territory,” Governor Bryan said.
The Governor said the territory has gotten back more than 500 tests from possibly infected individuals without encountering a positive result.
“We have effectively eliminated community spread of the virus through our actions, and the evidence is the recent lack of hospitalizations and the reduction of calls to our hotlines,” Governor Bryan said. “This is what gives us the confidence to take the next step forward.”
Stimulus checks
- On Tuesday, May 26, 6,030 stimulus checks totaling about $10 million were mailed out.
- To date, 18,429 checks have been mailed out totaling just less than $30 million.
- To date, this is an average of $1,618 per check.
- Another batch of checks is being processed and will be mailed out on Saturday, May 30.
YES credits
- To date, 29,414 residential customers received a $250 credit and 5,461 commercial ratepayers have received a $500 credit.
- A total of just less than 35,000 ratepayers have received YES credits.
- The YES Credit Program is nearing completion
Unemployment benefits
- The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, which provides an additional $600 per week to unemployment beneficiaries, began this week.
- All eligible recipients will receive a lump sum check for Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation retroactive to April 4, and the weekly payments will continue through July 31.
- On May 27, the Department of Labor set a record by sending out 3,118 checks in one day.
- The Department of Labor has secured a contract with InTouch Call Center, and the public can get information about any COVID-19-related employment security issues and unemployment benefits by calling 1-877-374-0356.
- The call center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
COVID-19 cases
- Currently tracking 2 active cases
- 1,708 individuals tested to date
- 1,617 of those tests were negative
- 69 tests came back positive
- 62 recovered
- 22 tests are pending
- 6 fatalities to date
- No COVID-19 patients are hospitalized at Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix.
- One COVID-19 patient is hospitalized on a ventilator at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas.
Election System Of The VI
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF V.I. STARTS ESTELLE PARROTT SCHOLARSHIP FUND THIS YEAR
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) is pleased to announce the availability of a new CFVI scholarship — the Estelle Parrott Scholarship — which will be available for the first time for the 2019-2020 academic year.
This scholarship will be funded annually through the Estelle Parrott Scholarship Fund, which was established at CFVI to honor the memory of Estelle Christian Parrott.
Parrott was known as a very generous woman who cared deeply for the community and particularly for the young people of the U. S. Virgin Islands, which had been her home. Estelle believed in the importance of doing one’s best and working hard to improve and to continue to learn.
Her commitment to “education as the backbone to any society” and to “helping others move forward and not stay in one place,” are reflected in the scholarship, which will provide a grant of $1,000 to be used to pay for education-related expenses of a young Virgin Islander who is experiencing financial challenges.
The recipient of the Estelle Parrott Scholarship will be a student enrolled in their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of study at the University of the Virgin Islands and will be selected from the pool of all CFVI scholarship applicants as part of the annual CFVI scholarship committee review.
Students may submit a CFVI scholarship application through April 15, 2019, using the following online portal: http://bit.ly/CFVIscholarship-grant-portal.
All applicants (new and returning) must create an account with Foundant before they begin the application process. Applicants will then receive a confirmation email once the account has been established.
For any questions or technical assistance, contact CFVI Grants and Programs Manager, Khadija de Lagarde, at kdelagarde@cfvi.net or 340-774-6031.
SCHNEIDER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER Lifts Restrictions on Elective and Outpatient Procedures
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands – May 19th, 2020 – Schneider Regional Medical Center (SRMC) announced today it is lifting the temporary restrictions placed on elective surgeries and outpatient procedures. As the nation is reopening and moving back to normal operations, SRMC is prepared to begin scheduling non-high risk patients for outpatient and electives procedures. The Virgin Islands Territory has experienced relatively low and stable incidences of COVID-19, that have allowed SRMC the flexibility to resume these services for patients needing nonemergent or non-COVID-19 related care.
“This is great news for patients who have placed their care plans on hold due to COVID-19,” said Dr. Luis Amaro, Interim CEO of SRMC. “Our team is ready to deliver safe, quality healthcare services to all patients. We will continue to follow all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the VI Department of Health guidelines” said Dr. Amaro.
Patient and employee safety remains our top priority at SRMC. As such, our visitation and screening processes will continue throughout this first phase of the reopening. Our community will have access to the following services: SRMC Heart & Lung Laboratory Services (including testing for food handler’s cards) Rehabilitation Services (Physical, Occupational, Speech, and Cardiopulmonary Therapy) Dietary and Nutrition Consultations Mastectomy & Medical Compression Garment Fittings Limited Elective Surgical Procedures
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SRMC’s safety protocols for resuming services include, but are not limited to: All individuals entering Schneider Regional Medical Center facilities, including all staff members, will continue to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. All individuals entering Schneider Regional Medical Center facilities will be asked to wear a mask or cloth face covering. Visitors will still be prohibited. A support person will be allowed for surgical patients, delivering OB mothers; children under the age of 18; patients with confusion, altered mental status or developmental delays; and end-of-life patients. All outpatient services, tests, and procedures are done by appointment only. All individuals are required to practice social distancing of six feet in all public areas and waiting rooms. Extra cleaning and disinfection of high-touch, public surface areas will continue. Infectious patients will continue to be cared for in isolation, away from non-infectious patients. All care team members who provide direct patient care will continue to follow our policies for wearing surgical masks, protective eyewear, as well as other necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for patients.
In addition to the safety protocols we have in place, our health system remains prepared to respond if a surge of COVID-19 develops in our Territory. We can quickly cease all elective and non-essential cases and return to more restrictive policies and protocols. SRMC also maintains an adequate supply of PPEs and other resources. We have reserved at least 50 percent of our hospital bed capacity, by opening a new COVID-19 wing that is designed to care for our most critical patients. We continue to collaborate with the Virgin Islands Government, the Department of Health, and emergency response officials to evaluate incidences and trends of COVID-19 cases.
“Until a vaccine is found, SRMC will remain prepared at all times to respond to COVID-19 and to care for our community,” said Dr. Amaro.
Patients who wish to schedule their elective surgery or outpatient procedure should call our Patient Access and Scheduling Department at (340) 776-833 extensions 2157, 2168, 2171, and 2211.
For more information about Schneider Regional Medical Center, visit our website at https://srmedicalcenter.org