I extend greetings to all in the BVI, the Caribbean region and the world.  Mr. Speaker, the last update on the COVID-19 Situation was issued on 5^th May 2021.  As of today, 13^th May 2021, 32,057 tests were conducted on individuals swabbed throughout the Territory and evaluated at the Dr. D Orlando Smith Hospital.

You would recall that shortly after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic in March 2020, we in the BVI were presented with a grim projection – based on the scientific data - that unless decisive preventative steps were taken, the Territory was looking at getting 3,700 coronavirus cases in our small population.

I extend morning Greetings to all here in the BVI, the Region and the World.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to accelerate, and we are deeply saddened by its rising death toll as health systems and economies far and near buckle under the strain of second and third waves of infection.

The Public Health Unit within the Ministry of Health and Social Development has received

Residents are invited to receive their first or second dose of the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine at the Farmer’s Market Week event in Paraquita Bay, Tortola on May 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Mister Speaker, the region of the Americas and the other Caribbean Islands and territories join the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and partners in celebrating the 19^th Annual Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) that this week began on April 24 and will end on April 30.

Mister Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to say a few words in celebration of the over 10,000 residents of the Virgin Islands that have heeded the call to be vaccinated against the deadly virus that causes COVID-19.

The Government of the Virgin Islands will be introducing a Work In Paradise programme to allow persons to work remotely from the shores of the Virgin Islands by acquiring an extended stay.

Mister Speaker, throughout this pandemic, the people of the Virgin Islands have time and time again shown their resilience.

Manager for the Expanded Programme on Immunization, Ms. Marina Bedeau is reminding residents of the Virgin Islands that being vaccinated prevents the spread of disease as the Territory observes Vaccination Week 2021.