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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#260915
07/20/2021 11:13 AM
07/20/2021 11:13 AM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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What are the current numbers of infections? I haven't seen anything since the weekend but it was at 1596 as of 7/15. They stopped mass testing so the infection numbers don't mean much any more. Deaths and hospitalization are probably the better numbers to track. Saturday we were at 28 admitted patients and 17 deaths but I know more have passed since then with no reporting.
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: RatmansWife]
#260916
07/20/2021 11:15 AM
07/20/2021 11:15 AM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,496 Grenada
Zanshin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,496
Grenada
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Nominally they have gone down (due to recoveries and deaths); but since they've stopped their intensive testing efforts that doesn't necessarily reflect current conditions. I think it is still at 1596 cases as of yesterday (source: BVI Platinum News)
Last edited by Zanshin; 07/20/2021 11:16 AM.
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: JasonHelmbrecht]
#260919
07/20/2021 11:26 AM
07/20/2021 11:26 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
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Wow, 17 deaths, and there have been more since then? Wow.. Before this round of infections, there was only one death?
Carol Hill
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: RatmansWife]
#260921
07/20/2021 11:30 AM
07/20/2021 11:30 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
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Any increase in desire of people there to get vaccinated? You'd think going from 1 death for a year to 16 new deaths that might provide some encouragement. Assuming no one who was vaccinated died?
Really sad as the BVI could be booming right now just like the USVI is.
Matt
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: Zanshin]
#260928
07/20/2021 12:30 PM
07/20/2021 12:30 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
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Zanshin--that is good news! Hopefully many more will get vaccinated. Perhaps the seriousness of this is finally sinking in.
Carol Hill
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: RatmansWife]
#260965
07/20/2021 06:59 PM
07/20/2021 06:59 PM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 583 Oak Park, IL
TomGarvey
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Posts: 583
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That’s 1,222, which is 3.82% of the population, if they’re all first doses. That’s a great jump! I hope they can meet or exceed those numbers for the next several weeks. When is the new vaccine shipment due?
Tom Garvey
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#260966
07/20/2021 07:03 PM
07/20/2021 07:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 583 Oak Park, IL
TomGarvey
Traveler
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Posts: 583
Oak Park, IL
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And, unfortunately the jump in fatalities usually trails the jump in cases by a couple of weeks.
Tom Garvey
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: bagsarepacked]
#261010
07/21/2021 10:18 AM
07/21/2021 10:18 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
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Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
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Astra Zenica does not seem to be as effective. Would be nice if they could get either Moderna or Pfizer.
Carol Hill
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#261022
07/21/2021 12:05 PM
07/21/2021 12:05 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
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Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
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Agreed. No way would I personally want J & J (if I weren't already vaccinated, which I am!!)
Carol Hill
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: RatmansWife]
#261026
07/21/2021 12:34 PM
07/21/2021 12:34 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
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Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
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Yeah, I did some looking it seems it is a lot less effective against the delta variant. Given that, the others do make more sense.
Matt
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: Zanshin]
#261032
07/21/2021 02:14 PM
07/21/2021 02:14 PM
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 62
mfringsley
Traveler
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Traveler
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Posts: 62
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I got the J&J, which normally is only given to the homeless in Germany (because it is so difficult to get them to come twice); but I got in a local lottery due to an outbreak in the city where I was. For me the vaccine is just an insurance policy against severe sickness and prevents hospitalization - I still act as if I'm not vaccinated. I realized how times have changed, one guy at the store register today was sniffling and I wondered if it was COVID, allergies, or just a coke habit... There is nothing wrong with the J&J vaccine other than the negative spin it attracts when the coffers for the other two stop over-flowing with dollars. For a hesitant population they might want to consider a one and done. BTW, I've read two separate articles this week in which one said J&J is outperforming the Pfizer/Moderna against the variant and the other said it's not performing well against the variant. Just gotta do your own thing...
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: mfringsley]
#261039
07/21/2021 02:50 PM
07/21/2021 02:50 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
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Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
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J & J is only about 75% effective, in general, versus Pfizer and Moderna, each at nearly 95%. That 20% is a BIG difference to me.
Carol Hill
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#261041
07/21/2021 03:18 PM
07/21/2021 03:18 PM
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 62
mfringsley
Traveler
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Traveler
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Posts: 62
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J & J is only about 75% effective, in general, versus Pfizer and Moderna, each at nearly 95%. That 20% is a BIG difference to me. Again, what good is Pfizer or Moderna if a population is particularly resistant to getting a vaccine in the first place. At that point one shot may be all they are willing to take. So I think that we can agree that having the J&J (along with the others) offered to them would be the way to reach the most people. 75% efficacy would FAR OUTPACE their current protection which obviously wasn't much.
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: mfringsley]
#261047
07/21/2021 04:48 PM
07/21/2021 04:48 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
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mfringsley--on that, we agree, that their current protection is basically zero..
Carol Hill
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: RatmansWife]
#261085
07/22/2021 11:55 AM
07/22/2021 11:55 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,451 Finger Lake Region
crmoores
Traveler
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Traveler
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Finger Lake Region
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If I remember the data correctly, the J&J 67% efficacy rate is in the prevention of CONTRACTING COVID-19. The efficacy in the prevention of SEVERE SICKNESS & HOSPITALIZATION is comparable to that of Phizer and Moderna, is it not? Forgive the caps...
"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.” -Anthony Bourdain
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: crmoores]
#261087
07/22/2021 12:01 PM
07/22/2021 12:01 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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That could be, but this whole topic has become a general one, not about the original topic, which is extremely important. Sorry for my role in the thread drift.
Let's get back to the topic of current Covid levels in the BVI..
Carol Hill
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: RatmansWife]
#261097
07/22/2021 01:52 PM
07/22/2021 01:52 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,496 Grenada
Zanshin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,496
Grenada
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The new numbers published on the BVI government site don't reflect the actual infection levels here; but the death and hospitalization numbers show that the crisis is still continuing. The first travelers were refused boarding on Monday due to delayed test results (as was already predicted in this thread), and the Minister of Health's "apologies" don't really ring true ( https://bvinews.com/late-test-results-causes-missed-flights-health-minister-apologises/).
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: Zanshin]
#261100
07/22/2021 02:14 PM
07/22/2021 02:14 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
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Wait, they have 30,000 rapid tests just sitting there somewhere?? "The minister explained that there are some 30,000 rapid test kits “sitting right now” and said these should have been made available sooner but his team is still working on a strategy on how to best implement it."
Carol Hill
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: RatmansWife]
#261101
07/22/2021 02:21 PM
07/22/2021 02:21 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
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Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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Unfortunately, the rapid tests won't help the problem of people being turned away at the ferry and then missing flights. USVI now requires an antibody or PCR test and that system is overwhelmed. They would need to figure out a strategy to prioritize outbound USVI tests or increase capacity so every result is returned in 24 hours.
We're coming to the wrap up of this year's busy season (either naturally or forced) so that may be enough to bring some relief to the testing load.
I ALWAYS recommend flying. That process has been working for a while and there is a lot more redundancy in carriers. My recommendation stands; if you are in the BVI or planning a trip in the next couple of months, change your tickets and fly thru SJU.
Last edited by JasonHelmbrecht; 07/22/2021 04:06 PM.
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: RatmansWife]
#261103
07/22/2021 02:39 PM
07/22/2021 02:39 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647 Memphis, BVI, CT
RatmansWife
OP
Traveler
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OP
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
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Zanshin, unfortunately you are correct about the lack of good planning.
The tug-of-war between the BVIHSA and private clinics is interesting. Logic would say the government should be happy to have increased testing capacity. They clearly aren't. That makes me wonder if money is at the root of it. The health department community tests are free, or paid by NHI. They charge tourists and others leaving $70/each, which may generate some surplus. If those tests migrate to a private clinic, the profit migrates with them.
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: tradewinds]
#261125
07/22/2021 04:07 PM
07/22/2021 04:07 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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Jason, are you saying you can't use a positive antibody test for the USVI anymore? Good catch! You absolutely can use a positive antibody. I edited my other answer. Sorry for the confusion. The test can be 4 months old for arrival by sea or 3 months old for arrival by air.
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: RatmansWife]
#261137
07/22/2021 05:18 PM
07/22/2021 05:18 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,496 Grenada
Zanshin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,496
Grenada
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Jason - I stand corrected: Until further notice, persons traveling from the BVI into the USVI must present test results obtained within 48 hours of traveling that show a negative COVID-19 for those who are not vaccinated or a positive antibody test for those who are vaccinated.
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: Zanshin]
#261152
07/22/2021 07:50 PM
07/22/2021 07:50 PM
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 520 Bay Area
Husker
Traveler
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Traveler
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Posts: 520
Bay Area
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But can't be used when taking a ferry from the BVI to the USVI Zanshin - If you are referring to the antibody test (taken within 4 months), it is my understanding this is acceptable for vax'd travelers entering the USVI from BVI by boat. This is the test we used to enter on July 14.
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: RatmansWife]
#261162
07/22/2021 09:25 PM
07/22/2021 09:25 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
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Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
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Jason, is that just specific to BVI? We took a PCR test yesterday and haven't got results yet. Hoping we get them tomorrow but we scheduled a rapid antigen test since the usviportal.com website still states that as acceptable. I think if we need to we can go about 30 minutes away and get a PCR test with results in a few hours. Unfortunately for a price of $250 and we'd need 3 if ours from yesterday don't come through.
EDIT - I just re-read it and see it seems specific to the BVI. Been too long a week dealing with all our travel hiccups, can't wait for Saturday!
Last edited by maytrix; 07/22/2021 09:27 PM.
Matt
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#261167
07/22/2021 10:06 PM
07/22/2021 10:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,451 Finger Lake Region
crmoores
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,451
Finger Lake Region
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That could be, but this whole topic has become a general one, not about the original topic, which is extremely important. Sorry for my role in the thread drift.
Let's get back to the topic of current Covid levels in the BVI.. I understand and agree wholeheartedly Carol! However, I think it is important to keep the facts straight for those affected, misinformation is not helpful wherever it is…😀
Last edited by crmoores; 07/22/2021 10:07 PM. Reason: Typo of course
"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.” -Anthony Bourdain
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: RatmansWife]
#261218
07/23/2021 01:57 PM
07/23/2021 01:57 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 833 Houston, Texas
louismcc
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 833
Houston, Texas
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Sorry I didn't get a chance to see your boat while we were on our charter. Glad you're finally cleared.
Louis from Houston
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: RatmansWife]
#261502
07/27/2021 01:23 PM
07/27/2021 01:23 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,496 Grenada
Zanshin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,496
Grenada
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It was a sub-optimal trip. I knew it when I saw the weather charts, but I was so happy to get out of the BVI with the stress of not getting permission to stay nor to leave that I decided to do it. Basically, there was a tropical wave coming through and the winds were south of east - meaning I had (a) bad weather with clouds and squall lines, (b) wind almost on the nose, and (c) a disorganized wave system making life aboard miserable. It took me 3 days, I left at 08:00 from the North Sound and arrived at 08:30 in Rodney Bay. I'll post a chart of my route, but basically I couldn't make any better than due south with no easting. When I did motor east it didn't come close to making the trip shorter. I managed to cajole the lady at Health to allow me in without another PCR test - I was a bit disingenuous about my arrival time and she didn't want to do extra paperwork involved with another test and quarantine at dock. I cleared into Customs & Immigration with nary a hitch, I'd forgotten that officials could be friendly after my trips to the BVI - we chatted about Japan and they wanted to know certain phrases to impress their friends with. Ahhh, the BVI can certainly learn from this. I've not used my A/C since way before Irma, but here at the docks I'm going to need it, so now I'm waiting for a technician to come by with magic greenhouses gasses for me
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: Zanshin]
#261505
07/27/2021 01:40 PM
07/27/2021 01:40 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
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Glad you made it, even though it sounds a very uncomfortable trip. Are you going to stay there through hurricane season?
Carol Hill
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: Zanshin]
#261779
08/03/2021 09:52 AM
08/03/2021 09:52 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,451 Finger Lake Region
crmoores
Traveler
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Traveler
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Posts: 1,451
Finger Lake Region
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I haven't decided yet. But I will be here for a bit. Prices for dockage are really good ($400 per week for 57" with water and power and A/C extra) and the internet is really fast so I can do some home-office work. And perhaps I'll find time to explore St. Lucia by land. If a tropical wave comes through that might turn into a hurricane it is only a 24-hour passage to Grenada to get out of the path of the storm, so it is a good location. Too early to tell, first I'm going to have to have dinner ashore tonight and have some tasty food rather than my cooking on this passage which wasn't much. But I did try making Macaroni & Cheese. It tasted worse than I remember from my college days and was probably only 25% organic because I added that amount of milk and butter. Enjoyed following your updates the past 10 days - have you considered starting a blog with your experiences for others to also enjoy? Maybe while you have some downtime in St Lucia!
"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.” -Anthony Bourdain
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: RatmansWife]
#261781
08/03/2021 10:22 AM
08/03/2021 10:22 AM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,496 Grenada
Zanshin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,496
Grenada
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I do have a daily blog; my homepage auto-updates the most recent blog entry and a link to the calendar can be found by clicking here
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: unipanther]
#261818
08/03/2021 06:26 PM
08/03/2021 06:26 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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Sorry, Jason, I don't how many people you are talking about? Is that people on Tortola or all the BVI's? 12,009 out of how many? That also seems like a lot of current cases compared to a month ago as well. I wonder if this is going to pay dividends in a couple months or not. Thanks always for the help and insight.
The case count is actually much better. We were at 1,600 exactly 2 weeks ago. Total BVI population is 30,030 so our vaccinated numbers are pretty poor at 40%.
Last edited by JasonHelmbrecht; 08/03/2021 06:27 PM.
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: RatmansWife]
#262623
08/15/2021 07:40 PM
08/15/2021 07:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 77 Omaha, NE
unipanther
Traveler
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Traveler
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Posts: 77
Omaha, NE
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Jason, it looks like the numbers of new cases has dropped drastically in the past week or two. I did see that they added 6 new deaths on Aug. 11th. Not sure if that's accurate though. This says about 48% of the pop should be vaccinated if everyone has had 2 doses (which doesn't seem like that is the case as a lot just got their first after this last spike). Just looking for an update if you had one. You've become my best source of information for the island through all this craziness! https://graphics.reuters.com/world-...-and-territories/british-virgin-islands/
Last edited by unipanther; 08/15/2021 07:49 PM.
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Re: CDC raises BVI to level 4 Covid
[Re: Manpot]
#262647
08/16/2021 12:31 PM
08/16/2021 12:31 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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Jason..any indication that they might start relaxing the entry protocols? You know what we went though in June and hoping to return in October without the nightmares!.. No clue. Since they just detected the Delta variant, I doubt any change is coming soon. They just reduced the ferry counts too. I can't remember the protocols when you came in June, but I think they have an additional test now. Did you have to take a PCR test at the ferry dock? If not, you do now although it's a rapid antigen test so you get your results before you leave the ferry terminal. And no trackers for vaccinated.
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