The [US] Virgin Islands Department of Health (DoH) on Thursday, February 3, 2022, announced the 102nd death in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) related to COVID-19, after announcing on Monday the 100th and 101st. Photo: Getty Images

"After further investigating cause of death and ensuring notification of next of kin, the [US] Virgin Islands Department of Health is saddened to confirm the territory’s one hundred and second death related to Covid-19. The deceased is a 78-year-old male on St Croix," DoH said.

Governor Albert A. Bryan on Tuesday lifted the restriction that required US Virgin Islanders vaccinated against COVID-19 in the territory to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test when traveling to the USVI.

Speaking during the administration's weekly COVID-19 press briefing, Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach, sitting for Governor Bryan who was in Washington, also said US Virgin Islanders who are not vaccinated and are traveling home will now need to show a negative COVID-19 test taken within five days of one's scheduled travel back to the USVI, instead of the narrower window of 72 hours. The orders took effect on Wednesday.

All Omicron-induced restrictions to be lifted

Governor Bryan on Sunday told the Consortium that all Omicron-induced restrictions would be lifted by next week, however, the administration has decided to address the travel matter this week.

The move comes as COVID-19 cases continue to fall from record-shattering infections realised during the Omicron surge in late December and early January.

As of Wednesday, there were 472 active Covid-19 infections territory-wide, with St Croix accounting for 304 of those cases, followed by St Thomas with 147, and St John with 21, according to DoH data.

The local positivity rate stood at 4.87 percent, down from over 24 percent during the height of the Omicron surge.