Health Dispels Rumors of a New COVID Health Advisory

The V.I. Health Department is dispelling rumors that a New Health Advisory has been issued recommending social distancing and wearing of masks to protect against the variant XBB, according to a recent press release.

On Monday, department officials received reports of a factitious advisory circulating on social media platforms that a new COVID Health Advisory has been issued for the variant XBB and that mask-wearing would once again be implemented. According to the social media post, XBB was found to be more deadly than previous strains and undetectable. It advises readers to wear a double layer of masks and to social distance, the press release stated.

“The information circulating on social media is false,” V.I. Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion said. “The Department of Health has not issued an advisory directing the public to wear a double layer of mask or to social distance. Wearing a mask is no longer mandated by the Department of Health. However, wearing a mask is a personal choice and we do encourage wearing a mask if you are sick to protect others around you.”

According to Dr. Esther Ellis, territorial Epidemiologist for the V.I. Health Department. “The current variant is EG.5. It is not showing to be more dangerous than previous COVID variants. Also, XBB, although more contagious, did not make people sicker and did not result in increased hospitalizations.”