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Maskless parties, large social gatherings contributed to COVID spike- Brewley-Massiah

- Harmony Brewley-Massiah said lack of adherence to protocols was precursor to current outbreak
Large social gatherings has been flagged as a contributing factor to the VI’s current spike in COVID-19 cases. Photo: VINO/File
Ms Harmony Brewley-Massiah said decreasing public health measures coupled with undetected community cases is what ultimately resulted in the current COVID-19 outbreak. Photo: GIS/Facebook
Ms Harmony Brewley-Massiah said decreasing public health measures coupled with undetected community cases is what ultimately resulted in the current COVID-19 outbreak. Photo: GIS/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – With health authorities suspecting the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus present in the Virgin Islands (VI), a recent series of large social gatherings has been flagged as a contributing factor to the VI’s current spike in COVID-19 cases.

This was highlighted by National Epidemiologist Harmony Brewley-Massiah during a COVID-19 briefing last evening July 8, 2021.

Ms Brewley-Massiah said decreasing public health measures coupled with undetected community cases are what ultimately resulted in the current COVID-19 outbreak.

“The physical distancing went through the door," she said. "We had a number of maskless parties, we have some graduations, we've had a lot of social gatherings and what that did was increase the contact rate and actually change the dynamics of the virus.”

Vaccinated Vs Unvaccinated 

Brewley-Massiah said as such, the reason for the surge in the VI is one that was multifaceted and cannot be attributed to a vaccinated versus unvaccinated debate.

“If everybody in the country was actually adhering or doing their best, for the most part, to adhere to the public health protocols, even if someone had the virus the probability or the likelihood of you contracting it would be slim to none.”

The National Epidemiologist reiterated; however, that the recent surges in other counties have also pointed to the decline in the public health measures as has been the case in the VI.

While health authorities are yet to lab confirm the presence of the Delta variant in the VI, the super-contagious variant, previously called B.1.617.2, has now spread to 92 countries worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation.

29 Responses to “Maskless parties, large social gatherings contributed to COVID spike- Brewley-Massiah”

  • Askhole (09/07/2021, 13:38) Like (47) Dislike (24) Reply
    the fact that the government open the borders and allowing fully vaccinated persons to travel freely without quarantining poses just as much risk or am i crazy .
  • Joy & Wide (09/07/2021, 13:45) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    You pointless. You gus make it happe because is you say 3 ft distancing and throw the number of persons in gathering out the window
  • zagred smith (09/07/2021, 14:35) Like (10) Dislike (10) Reply
    duh, its the government fault for allowing them
  • Unvaxxed for the win (09/07/2021, 14:50) Like (16) Dislike (36) Reply
    I thought the spike had to do with the flu and the flu season but carry on.

    While all the vxxxx dropping down the unvxxx strong as a mule !
    • @unvaxxed for the win (09/07/2021, 15:28) Like (21) Dislike (6) Reply
      You must be living in Zamonda. Where is the data to support your theory that the vaccinated are dropping down?
    • ahead (09/07/2021, 15:43) Like (12) Dislike (15) Reply
      Blogger you are on piont. The unvaxx is wayyyyy ahead yes.
    • omg (09/07/2021, 16:37) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
      Find another phrase you sound lame.
  • Maskless man (09/07/2021, 14:54) Like (15) Dislike (15) Reply
    Imagine there’s a 99.9 percent chance that your not gonna poop your pants but you still wear diapers every single day, just in case, but not for you, for everybody else just in case you have a blowout
  • Yep (09/07/2021, 15:25) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    The LIT Committee who only care for themselves. It’s sad to see the selfishness of the people are encouraging. Once alcohol and drugs are involved all rules and regulations are off the table… The party committee needs to be held responsible.
  • Bob (09/07/2021, 15:27) Like (14) Dislike (8) Reply
    I guess they forgot to mention opening the borders for the vaxx to walk free
  • These are classic (09/07/2021, 15:43) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    These comments are classic, please keep them coming.
  • Tongue Fu (09/07/2021, 16:55) Like (26) Dislike (4) Reply
    The truth is there was no community spread before the 15th. The few cases we had were Quarantined. So the only way for the virus to come in would persons who came in and did not need quarantine. They then went to the parties, graduations and various social events. Unless they want to blame it on illegal smuggling of people. Then instead of correcting that shortcoming to at least stem the tide of cases they continue to allow the vax to come in without quarantine. What is the definition of insanity again?
    • @Tongue Fu (09/07/2021, 20:56) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      The definition of insanity is that someone is able to smuggler in hookers (sorry dancers) to perform in clubs!
  • the rock (09/07/2021, 17:53) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Health Department is a combination of the people and you guys, it's not the time noe to point fingers, closed the boarders and let's deal with the beast thsts among us!
  • Crs (09/07/2021, 18:06) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    They weren’t hardly testing until the 15th so it’s probably been here all along since most people don’t even have symptoms anyway.
  • DEDE (09/07/2021, 18:50) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    If my memory serve me right, some of these functions were advertising vaccinated persons only. So who was checking to ensure this was happening and the rules were follow. Just asking. Correct me if I’m wrong.”
  • @Tongue Fu (09/07/2021, 19:04) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Well hear this!!!!
    You couldn’t have made the truth more clear and plain. You’re spot on with that. The BVI GOVERNMENT set the rule of NO QUARANTINE FOR THE FULLY VACCINATED COMING IN, and those suckers were free n happy to roam (and spread)
    So if we had no COVID here for months on end, tell me where it suddenly came from??
    • Scientist (10/07/2021, 10:04) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      It is a logical fallacy to assume there has been no disease for months on end when you have an infectious organisms that does not cause symptoms in more than 50%, and that is transmitted by air. Any healthy person could be a carrier. The outbreak was inevitable without more thorough testing in the community that would have led to more quarantines and other inconveniences. But, hey, if you don't test, it ain't there, right?
  • question (09/07/2021, 20:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where is this Task Force that was put together to help curve these type of gathering???? Only regular business they does target no night clubs Beach parties.
  • LCS (10/07/2021, 02:07) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    Vaccinated individuals are not the threat. The problem is the unvacinated individuals. Why is that so hard to understand. Watching in the news other BIG countries in the world did better after vaccination of big # of people. Millions of people, not a few like our Territory, had the vaccine and cases went down. Why do we think Covid-19 or any variant would treat us different? BVI people think they are different, untouchable but the VIRUSES don't care about your last name, ancestors, money in the bank or government connections. With our health system great limitations, the best people can do is vaccinate to avoid getting the virus. Pls help yourself, family, friends and countrymen by getting the vaccine.
  • Vaccinated (10/07/2021, 07:58) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    STOP BLAMING VACCINATED PERSONS!

    We need to accept the blame that we were not adhering to protocols such as mask wearing & distance. As the island opened, we were to be more vigilant. Simple.
  • Senseless people! (10/07/2021, 08:52) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    The are the same set of people who would want to protest about going on a beach when a cruise ship is in, set of senseless idiots. The beaches are here for us 24 seven, the tourist them here just for a few darn hours, who the hell you think would get the bad publicity? surely not the cruise ships.
  • What did you expect? (10/07/2021, 09:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    With COVID-19, > 50% have no symptoms, but remain infectious which can be fatal in certain individuals. This disease is transmitted via airborne particles but wearing masks is seen as an infringement of one's rights, or an imposition by government, so masks are no worn, or not properly worn. Social distancing? Hah...! There are no medications to kill the disease-only symptomatic treatment until your body wins or loses. There is a vaccine, which will not prevent people from getting infected, but which will prevent them from dying but most of us don't want to take it. And, we don't want to be bothered with testing ourselves (because this would reveal the disease is present in our community). So, now come summer time: graduations, visits from relatives living overseas, parties, etc, etc. So, why the big surprise at the surge of positive tests? All we've done is ignored science and facts, for more than a year at that. And, for that we want to blame vaccinated tourists or anyone else but ourselves. Now come the tragic consequences.
  • Id!0ts (10/07/2021, 11:01) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Unvxx just talking a bunch of nonsense. Ppl dying from covid and unvaxx denying that. All unvaxx who say they strong and they immune, good luck staying alive. The no of infections going up and so will the no of deaths. Hope you ain't going to be one of those who crying or in a coffin.
  • Secret Bear (10/07/2021, 19:30) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    People aren’t evil for enjoying life. Vaccinate yourself and MOVE ON.


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