Dr. Esther Ellis, Territorial Epidemiologist, provides an update of the coronavirus that originated from Wuhan, China. According to Dr. Ellis, there are 11 cases in the United States and no confirmed cases in the U.S Virgin Islands. The Department of Health encourages handwashing to prevent the spread not only the coronavirus but against the flu.
Derek Reimer, director of business development for The Company that owns Cost-U-Less says slow sales is the reason the company laid-off 14 employees, or, just as they were eligible to collect full-time benefits. “When we re-opened in November 2019, it was our intent for all employees to be hired on a permanent basis, however current operating results could not support these costs,” Mr. Reimer said Friday. The timing of the lay-offs led Virgin Islands Senator Donna Frett-Gregory chair of the Senate Committee on Education and Workforce Development to call on the V.I. Department of Labor to investigate why the workers were sent packing one day before their 90-day probationary period ended, rendering them ineligible for benefits. Gary Molloy, Commissioner of Labor encouraged the 14 employees from Cost-U-Less to come to the Department of Labor.
Senator-at-Large Steven D. Payne, Sr., Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Justice, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs, has scheduled an emergency hearing in an to question reports of mass resignations and several terminations at the bureau of corrections under the watch of new Director Wynnie Testamark. The Committee will meet on Wednesday, February 13 at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas.