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1303 Hospital Ground • STE 1 • St. Thomas, VI 00802-6722 • (340) 774-0930 3012 Golden Rock • Christiansted, VI 00802 • (340) 718-2980 www.dhs.vi.gov GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES Press Contact: Ryan Nugent Director of Communications Ryan.nugent@dhs.vi.gov Phone: (340) 725-4924 PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: 19 September 2022 QUEEN LOUISE HOME FOR THE AGED CONFIRMS 2 RESIDENTS TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS - The Department of Human Services and staff at Queen Louise Home for the Aged is confirming that two (2) residents at the congregate living facility have tested positive for COVID19. DHS Senior Citizens Affairs staff and physicians at the facility, as a result, immediately placed the two affected clients into non-congregate sheltering, away from the remaining 10 residents, where they can receive treatment by our Nursing Staff with the most effective available therapeutics. Both patients have displayed mild symptoms and are receiving medical care and supervision treatment by the QLH Medical Team and Nursing staff, in addition to support from the Department of Health and Pafford Medical Services. On Sunday, staff and residents at the facility were tested for the virus, no new infections were found. Another round of campus wide testing and individual medical assessments will commence on Wednesday, September 21, 2022. QLH staff has also notified the family members of the two residents who tested positive. DHS leadership together with DOH will continue to meet regularly to discuss the daily strategy of addressing effective methods of combatting the spread of coronavirus at the facility. Until further notice, the Queen Louis Home for the Aged will not be accepting visitors at this time. Commissioner Kimberley Causey-Gomez praised the Division of Senior Citizen Affairs leadership and Queen Louise Home for the Aged team for the continuous efforts to mitigate the COVID virus within the Home and to ensure the health and safety of the residents, as well as all staff who work within the facility. “We have learned a lot over the last several years regarding the virus and are blessed that our residents are vaccinated and boosted to help prevent the transmission, said Causey-Gomez. “We will continue to work together internally as well as with our partner agencies to keep our residents safe,” she concluded. Meanwhile on St. Croix, the Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged, on Friday, obtained an “all clear status” at the facility after containing a small outbreak that affected 8 residents in late August. These clients have all recovered and have been moved out of isolation. They are now back on the main campus and free to participate in normal residential activities once more. As per CDC and DOH guidelines, HGH then launched a 14-day baseline test, which required that no new resident cases be found within that window. This past Friday marked the culmination of the baseline test in which HGH was found to have fulfilled the benchmarks required to achieve an all clear at the facility. The Department of Human Services (VIDHS) exists to provide social services to members in our community with diverse needs. In times of national uncertainty and hardship we act as a safety-net and exist to inspire hope and empower change through non-judgmental, quality delivery of needed services and resources. Please visit the Department of Human Services website, www.dhs.gov.vi for more information. The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure, and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government, and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit transparency.vi.gov. ## END## 1303 Hospital Ground • STE 1 • St. Thomas, VI 00802-6722 • (340) 774-0930 3012 Golden Rock • Christiansted, VI 00802 • (340) 718-2980 www.dhs.vi.gov