May 8, 2020 | 8:30 PM AST
US VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Bryan’s COVID-19 Task Force has announced that an individual suffering respiratory distress aboard a vessel at sea is one of the territory’s latest COVID positive patients.
The individual, who is hospitalized at the Roy Lester Schneider Regional Medical Center in critical condition was admitted late Thursday evening after the vessel in which that individual was aboard was apparently denied entry into Puerto Rico.
Governor Bryan said Friday that to the extent possible, the USVI will assist in providing any humanitarian assistance it can during this pandemic.
“From what we know, this individual who was suffering respiratory distress needed immediate medical attention and probably would not have survived a days-long trip to the U.S. Mainland without acute care,” said Governor Bryan. “Giving this patient a fighting chance is the right thing to do.”
Governor Bryan added that first responders in the Virgin Islands “are among the best and take every precaution to protect not only themselves but our community as well.”
The vessel left Charlotte Amalie at noon on Friday.
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