Regional

VI CONSORTIUM The U.S. Virgin Islands continues to produce excellence in a multitude of fields. From Rashida Hodge, the VP of North America Global Markets at IBM, who was recently named one of Fortune Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in Technology, to Marcella Nunez-Smith, an associate professor of internal medicine, public health and management, and founding … Continued

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor on Thursday announced stricter measures to fight COVID-19, including a lockdown on Sundays and the closure of all marinas as the U.S. territory grapples with an increase in cases and deaths. Gov. Wanda Vázquez also tightened a curfew, with businesses now ordered to close by 8:30 … Continued

VI CONSORTIUM St. Croix native Frederick Morton Jr., founder, chairman and CEO of TEMPO Networks, recently received the Institute of Caribbean Studies Caribbean American Heritage Trailblazer Award during the 27th Annual Caribbean-American Heritage (CARAH) Awards Gala last month, according to a release issued to the Consortium. The CARAH Awards Gala, held virtually on Nov. 20 … Continued

Covid-19 is yet again on the rise in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with the V.I. Department of Health reporting 20 new cases Friday for a total of 70 cases in three days, according to data provided by the health department. The current active caseload is 97: 42 on St. Thomas, 31 on St. Croix and 24 on St. John. … Continued

VI CONSORTIUM Covid-19 cases are trending higher this week according to data put out by the V.I. Department of Health revealing a total of 50 confirmed cases between Wednesday and Thursday. D.O.H. reported 26 new cases Wednesday and 24 on Thursday. The increase in cases in the territory was expected, as confirmed cases on the … Continued

St. Thomas Source Unemployment in the territory is like an “invisible hurricane,” creating unprecedented amounts of unemployment benefits insurance claims in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Labor Commissioner Gary Molloy told a V.I. Senate hearing on Tuesday. Testifying before the Committee on Education and Workforce Development, Molloy said the number of jobless claims has soared since … Continued

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Officials in Puerto Rico announced Wednesday that the U.S. territory expects to receive its first COVID-19 vaccines by mid-December as the island hits a record number of daily cases and hospitalizations. Health care workers, teachers and certain public sector employees are among those who will take priority, officials said. … Continued

If you’re in the Caribbean, look up at the moon in the wee hours of Monday morning and you just may see part of a lunar eclipse. According to timeanddate.com, this is the last penumbral lunar eclipse of 2020. Residents of North and South America, Australia, and parts of Asia can see about 82 per … Continued

(VI CONSORTIUM) – Governor Albert Bryan on Tuesday announced a “soft two-week” shutdown that calls for government departments and agencies to perform remote work as much as possible. He also announced administrative leave for non-essential workers Friday and declared it a day of reflection and prayer. Additionally, Mr. Bryan urged Virgin Islanders to take Covid-19 … Continued

The newly elected Prime Minister of Belize John Briceño was swabbed for COVID-19 and has tested positive.  This was confirmed by the Office of the Prime Minister this evening.   It says Briceño will remain in isolation for the next two weeks, after which he will be re-tested. No other information was provided on this health.   The prime minister recently … Continued