The [US] Virgin Islands Department of Health (DoH) has stated that the US Virgin Islands (USVI) is entering the endemic stage in its efforts against Covid-19. Photo: biancadottin.com

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a disease is endemic when it is a constant presence in a population, follow predictable patterns and occur at an expected, baseline level. "To put it another way, an endemic disease is consistently present, but it spreads at predictable rates that can be managed by communities," said the CDC.

The seasonal Influenza, for example, is an endemic disease in the United States. Malaria is an endemic in many parts of the world, with 229 million cases reported 2019.

15% positivity rate

Department of Health Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr Tai Hunte-Ceasar, said on Friday, May 13, 2022, that the territory is "entering into a state of endemicity where Covid-19 will continuously be prevalent throughout the territory and Covid levels will rise depending on the level of activity and variants circulating among the community."

“Our current positivity rate is 15 percent. However, we are seeing a lower level of sickness in our hospitalised patients,” Dr. Hunte-Ceasar said. “We began our transition out of the pandemic into endemicity with the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions. So, let’s continue to work together and keep each other safe by doing our part.”

According to D.O.H., during this transition period with increased activities, "we will continue to balance our efforts to vaccinate as many as possible and reduce transmission. With the much-needed relaxed restrictions come larger functions. Prevention remains the best way to reduce the risk of long-term complications of Covid infection, known as long Covid, or death."

The health department's announcement comes as the 2022 political season is heating up, and there were discussions regarding whether new restrictions would be implemented by the Bryan administration following the recent surge in cases that the Dept. of Health says was caused by USVI Carnival events in St Thomas.

1,198 active Covid-19 infections in USVI

According to the latest DoH data, published on Friday, there were 1,198 active Covid-19 infections territory-wide, with St Thomas accounting for the bulk of those cases with 787, while St Croix had 380, followed by St John with 31. The latest data show St Croix and St John with increases in infections, while St Thomas experienced a decrease compared to a day earlier.

The governor's main challenger in the upcoming general election, Senator Kurt A. Vialet, on Thursday called for temporary restrictions to be put in place to quell the latest rise in cases.

However, with the transition to endemic status Virgin Islanders can expect the continuance of large functions, including election activities and entertainment events. D.O.H. may continue encouraging the use of masks as it did last week, but it is less likely that Governor Bryan will implement another mask mandate. 

Yet while the administration has announced the transition to endemic Covid status, the CDC hasn't made this determination. In its latest update regarding endemic diseases, the agency said that when Covid is finally declared an endemic, this may "translate to continued mask wearing in places like public transportation, indoor settings, and offices."

Additionally, the CDC stated, "With good community efforts, high vaccination rates, and improved treatments, Covid-19 can potentially become a predictable disease that communities can cope with, much as they do the seasonal flu.

"For now, vaccination efforts remain a key step in ending the pandemic and transitioning to an endemic."