Ohio 911 Operators Travel to USVI to Assist as 90 Percent of Local Dispatchers Out Sick With Covid-19

Ten 911 operators from the state of Ohio last week dispatched to the U.S. Virgin Islands to supplement the territory's emergency call centers as a number of local employees have tested positive for Covid-19.

With Omicron resulting in the highest infection rate in the USVI since the start of the pandemic, leading to 3,882 active infections as of Saturday, the rapid spread has affected businesses and public services.

"Most of the [USVI] 911 operators are out with the virus, effectively losing their ability to dispatch emergency services," according to News 5 Cleveland, which reported on the matter and interviewed Ohio 911 operators who have been dispatched to the territory.