RESIDENTS OF TCI URGED TO AMPLIFY THEIR PROTECTION-TAKE THE COVID-19 BOOSTER SHO
Citizens and Residents and in particular our frontline workers, across all sectors of the Turks and Caicos Islands are being urged to get a coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccine to top-up their protection.
The Health Promotions and Advocacy Unit within the Ministry of Health, reminds us that vaccines are the best way to protect ourselves against COVID-19 and the new Omicron variant. Our priority remains to protect our most vulnerable, our frontline workers and our entire country.
In light of the return of Cruise ships to Grand Turk, we particularly implore our cruise industry vendors, business operators and all persons offering service in that sector who have had their second dose of the vaccine to go and get their booster jab. Director of The Health Promotions and Advocacy Unit, Mrs. Aldora Robinson said, "It's absolutely crucial that everybody who is eligible gets their booster shot to top-up their immunity." Mrs. Robinson went on to say, "While brilliant scientists around the world learn more about the new Omicron variant, we need to do everything we can to strengthen our defences and vaccines are the best way to do that."
The Ministry of Health is cognizant that the emergence of this new variant, Omicron is obviously a concern for all of us and urges that we take personal responsibility to protect ourselves, coworkers, and our families.
In support of the booster shot programme, Minister of Health and Human Services, The Honourable Jamell Robinson commented, "More than ever, receiving a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are eligible is an urgent, healthy choice to protect yourself and your family. Even if you were fully vaccinated last year, three shots are better than two. We know immune protection from the vaccines declines over time, so booster shots are critical for everyone who was vaccinated at least 3 months ago. In addition to vaccinations and boosters, masks, testing, ventilation, and distancing, remain as effective multi-layered defences against COVID-19. I encourage persons to stay mindful of risks and take steps to decrease them."
The Ministry of Health and Human Services urges the entire population to recognize this as a national mission- one in which we all have a role to play. Roll up your sleeves and get protected as soon as you can.
Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes convicted on 4 counts of fraud
A jury has convicted Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes on four counts of fraud on their seventh day of deliberations. She was acquitted on another four, and there is no verdict on the remaining three counts.
She was found guilty on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud against Theranos investors and three other counts of wire fraud against investors. She was acquitted on all four counts of wire fraud against patients.
Judge Edward J. Davila, who presided over the trial, is expected to sentence the fallen entrepreneur at a later date. The former multi-billion dollar entrepreneur could face decades behind bars.
Her ex-boyfriend and former company COO, Ramesh "Sunny" Balwani, who is also her co-defendant in the case, had his trial severed from Holmes earlier this year after learning her lawyers might use abuse claims as part of their defense. He has firmly denied those allegations and is expected to stand trial in February.
Holmes, who had vowed to revolutionize the health care industry with technology that could run any test from a just a few drops of blood, was convicted of defrauding investors, in the rare criminal takedown of a Silicon Valley CEO.
During his rebuttal last week, prosecutor John Bostic told jurors that Holmes' motive to commit fraud was not to cash in, but to bolster the company she had built.
"She committed these crimes because she was desperate for the company to succeed," Bostic said.
Holmes' conviction comes after the jury in the trial, following over 45 hours of deliberation, said Monday morning that they were "unable to come to a unanimous verdict on three of the counts," and would need more time to reach a decision.
Davila read the jury a deadlock instruction, reiterated Holmes' presumption of innocence, and sent the 12 back to the deliberation room to continue weighing the three counts of fraud on which they could not agree.
The jurors were tasked with weighing 11 fraud charges leveled against Holmes following weeks of witness testimony from insiders who worked at the blood-testing startup, and patients and investors who prosecutors say were defrauded by the Theranos founder once lauded as the next Steve Jobs.
Holmes, 37, was initially charged with nine counts of wire fraud and two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The jury began deliberating on Dec. 20.
Source-ABC
Drake sues jeweler for allegedly using his image without permission
Drake brought in 2022 by filing a lawsuit.
The "God's Plan" rapper is suing the Hong Kong jewelry company Gemma LTD and its owner, Ori Vechler, of using photos of him to promote their company without his permission, according to RadarOnline.
Drake says he bought a pair of diamond earrings, a diamond ring, and a necklace from Gemma online and paid half of the amount due as a down payment.
But the Billboard Artist of the Decade reportedly wasn't satisfied with the quality and attempted to return the items, but the defendants have allegedly refused.
The lawsuit states that in late December 2019, Gemma began using his name and photos in social media ads without any license.
“While Drake was briefly a Gemma customer, his status as such did not also include giving Gemma the right to use his name and likeness in a licensing campaign for its products," the document continues. "This is especially the case when Drake is actually dissatisfied with what he received from Gemma, has been attempting to return it and obtain a refund (to no avail), and never would want his name or likeness associated with Vechler or Gemma, or for his fans and the public to think that he is somehow affiliated with them or endorses them.”
Drake is accusing Gemma LTD of “willfully and without authorization” using his “name, image, likeness and persona in the posts for commercial purposes, to advertise Gemma’s brand and to promote the sale of Gemma’s products.” He is demanding all profits made from this advertising, and an injunction ordering the company to cease using his image or name.
As he awaited the lawsuit result, the Champagne Papi celebrated New Year's Eve on a yacht in the Caribbean on the island of St. Barts, according to Page Six.
Source-ABC
Phil Simmons shaping new approach for batsmen after World Cup debacle
Head coach Phil Simmons says West Indies will use the Ireland and England Twenty20 assignments later this month to revamp their batting approach, as the Caribbean side look to rebuild in the wake of a disastrous T20 World Cup last October.
West Indies flattered to deceive at the United Arab Emirates showpiece, losing four of their five games to finish one from bottom of their group and missing out on a semi-final spot.
And with several changes made to that World Cup squad, Simmons said much of the focus would now be on rehabilitating the batting in order to achieve larger and more competitive totals.
“We’ve always been trying to do things a little bit different and to step up things in the way we bat,” Simmons told reporters.
“I think our batting is what we’re going to focus on a lot because we need to be making the 160s, the 180s in order to challenge people, and our bowling seems to be ready to defend scores like that.
“So we’re going to be pushing on the batsmen to get us there with different methods.
“It’s not all going to be about hitting the sixes. That’s our strong suit but we’re going to try adding different things to it.”
In their first game of last year’s World Cup, West Indies were dismissed for a near-historic low of 55 against England in Dubai and timid scores of 143, 142, 169 and 157 followed in their remaining outings.
Key components of the batting unit failed to spark with big hitters like veteran Chris Gayle scraping only 45 runs from five innings, captain Kieron Pollard managing 90 runs and the explosive Andre Russell, 25 runs also from five appearances.
With neither three featuring on last December’s three-match Pakistan tour, West Indies surpassed 200 for only the third time in three years in the final T20 International, and Simmons said he wanted to see that energy continued.
“The way we started in Pakistan is the way we want to play now – a lot more energy, a lot more enthusiasm,” Simmons explained.
“It’s a young group of guys and we’re trying to mold them and get them into a frame of mind that we want to win and we want to do everything that it takes to win, so I can safely say there will be a little more excitement as we go along now.”
West Indies face Ireland in a one-off T20 International at Sabina Park here on January 16 following a three-match One-Day International series at the same venue, before moving on to Barbados for a highly anticipated five-match T20I series against England at Kensington Oval from January 22-30.
The fixtures kick off what is expected to be an intense schedule as the two-time World champions beef up preparation for the T20 World Cup next October in Australia.
In addition to improving aspects of the batting, Simmons said there were other tweaks which were also needed in other areas of the Caribbean side’s game.
“I think one of the things that has let us down a little bit is our running between the wickets and that’s one of the things we’re putting a lot of emphasis on,” he stressed.
“When you go into the [fielding], we’ve been making chances for run outs but we’ve not been hitting the stumps directly enough.
“These are small things in comparison to [making] the total of 180 but they become big things if you’re doing them, and effecting a run out here or running two here and putting pressure on the other team.
“[There are] small things like that but in the end they will turn out to be big things.”
Source-CMC
Antigua still optimistic despite Air Canada flight suspension
The Antigua and Barbuda government says it remains optimistic that Air Canada will reverse its decision to suspend flights to the island as of January 31st, this year as the country battles with the last surge in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in recent weeks.
Tourism Minister Charles “Max” Fernandez, speaking on Observer Radio on Monday, said Canada has been one of those countries “that has been exceptionally cautious.
“Now they probably can do more in terms of locking down because of course they have other means of income. The rest of us are not as fortunate and dependent on the tourism. But I think the Omicron variant is what has created the concerns for them.
“I believe that by saying the 30th of January they want to be sure that there is no full fledge increase to create further problems for them,” Fernandez said.
In a statement, Tameka Wharton, the Senior Sales and Marketing Manager (Canada Region) of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, said that Canadian government has advised “Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel, has made it challenging for the airline to maintain its previously announced flight schedule leading to the suspension.
“The airline will be working on cancelling each passenger’s file in order of departure dates over the next month and asked for our co-operation and patience.
“Air Canada has expressed their appreciation for our understanding during these difficult times which are impacting the entire travel sector. They have shared their confidence that the travel industry will continue to be resilient and by working together, we can overcome this most recent setback,” the statement noted.
“We at the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority wish to thank you for your support as we look forward to the future with optimism,” it added. The airline had only resumed its services to Antigua and Barbuda on October 3 last year.
Last month Bermuda announced that the airline was suspending services from January 9, this year.
“Air Canada continues to evaluate and adjust its route network as required in response to the trajectory of the pandemic, government-imposed travel restrictions and quarantines, and regulatory requirements,” the spokesman said. The airline gave no date for resuming the service.
Fernandez also told radio listeners that health authorities here were working with the cruise line industry following a statement by the US-based Centres for Disease Control (CDC) that people should avoid traveling on cruise ships regardless of their vaccination status, as daily COVID-19 cases in the country climb to record highs due to the fast-spreading Omicron variant.
“The cruise industry is doing the best it can and they are continuously upgrading. We are in touch with them,” he said on how “we can work together” because at the end of the day it is a partnership
“None of us want any kind of disruption in any serious way (and) in the same time we don’t want any major health risk for our people. So it is a balancing act, it is a risk that we have to find a way to manage bearing in mind so many lives depend on it…basically to survive,” he added.
Source-CMC
Political leaders confident of victory in Barbados
Leaders of the two main political parties here on Monday remained confident of victory in the January 19 general elections as candidates were nominated to contest the snap election that Prime Minister Mia Mottley called 18 months ahead of the constitutional deadline.
Mottley, speaking to reporters after completing the nomination process as the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP) candidate for the St Michael North East constituency, said that in the coming months, tough decisions will have to be made to secure the future of the island.
“We have to take some decisions that will position this country to face some of the most difficult circumstances in the next 10 to 15 years,” she told reporters.
“If we don’t do it now we will be unprepared,” she said, adding “we have already seen how difficult it is to grow through the (COVID-19) pandemic, how difficult it is to deal with as a consequence of the climate crisis with the freak storm and the hurricane”.
She said it was the first hurricane to hit the island in 66 years and that the global community is also dealing with a number of other perils.
“Domestically we also have to prepare the platform where Barbadians can literally can be the best that they can be and that’s going to mean transformation in a number of areas so that our kids can have the best chances that they can have,” she added.
But attorney, Verla De Peiza, who is leading the opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP) into a general election for the first time, told reporters after being nominated to contest the St Lucy, that the party is confident of reversing the 2018 results when it was swept out of office by a 30-nil drubbing at the hands of the BLP.
“It is clear that the dissatisfaction with present administration did not take long to set in and let’s face it, it’s a series of own goals that brought them to that point and our people are very pleased to have the opportunity to signal their discontent earlier than they expected.
“Ours was always a ground game so that suits us and also we have a young team of candidates, so social media suits us and that really is the focus we have to have going forward because the safety of our people is the immediate consideration whatever we do in our campaigning”>
De Peiza, who is also the DLP president, said that the party’s mobilisation efforts will continue and “fortunately we have been a bit ahead of the game in that we had certain logistics organised, we are re-jigging a few things.
“Nationally, we were also about 90 per cent ready…and the re-jigging will be to have a care for the climate in which we are in right now,” she said in reference to the coronavirus pandemic.
“It is a tough time to call an election, it is not even a necessary time to call an election with 18 months or so to go, it is what it is and we will do our part to make sure that our people are kept safe. There is no intention to endanger the lives of our citizens whilst they exercise their democratic rights”
She said that the DLP is also focusing on winning over “the middle group that takes their speed from the temperature of the country”.
Political observers expect the fight to be a straight battle between the BLP and the DLP, with both parties nominating 30 candidates each for the election.
The Electoral Department has not yet released the total number of candidates that will contest the elections, but said that eligible voters, whose names do not appear on the Preliminary List of Electors, are reminded that they must be registered by Tuesday, the last day for registration for the January 19 poll.
It said inspection of the Preliminary List of Electors and registration to be an elector may be done at any of the Revising/Registration Centres in each constituency and that voters can access the chatbox on the website to confirm their electoral registration status and registration details by entering a query such as, “Am I registered”, followed by entering their National Registration Number.
Source-CMC
Kodak Black arrested for trespassing on New Year's Day
It was not a Happy New Year for Kodak Black, who was arrested for trespassing on New Year's Day.
The "Zeze" rapper, whose birth name is Bill Kapri, was taken into custody by deputies from the Broward Sheriff's Office at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday in the Pompano Beach, Florida neighborhood where he grew up, according to the Sun-Sentinel. Kodak was taken to the Broward jail, booked and released on bond.
Black recently completed a court ordered 90-day drug rehabilitation program. He was granted special permission by a judge to perform at the Rolling Loud New York Festival in October 2021.
The Florida MC was released from prison in January 2021 after being pardoned by Donald Trump. He was arrested in April 2019 for weapons and drug possession and was serving a 46-month sentence in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges he falsified information while attempting to purchase guns in Miami
In April, Black avoided going back to prison after he agreed to a plea deal for a sexual assault charge in South Carolina in 2016. He received 18 months probation and is required to attend counseling sessions.
CHANGE IN CLINIC OPERATING HOURS
The Primary Healthcare Department wishes to advise the public of the change in clinic operating hours for the Blue Hills Community clinic and the clinics on North Caicos.
Temporary operating hours Monday-Friday: 8:30am to 12:30pm
Providenciales
Blue Hills Community clinic
North Caicos
Nivelyn Butterfield Community Clinic (Kew, North Caicos)
Emergency Tel No (649) 342-6860 or 243-0553
Cecelia Gray-Gardiner Community Clinic (Bottle Creek, North Caicos)
Emergency Tel No (649) 347-2126
The change in operating hours is to allow the teams to conduct contact tracing due to theincrease in COVID19 cases.
Remember to:
Wash or sanitize your hands frequently
Wear your face mask/covering properly to cover both your nose and mouth
Maintain physical distance of at least 6ft
Avoid crowds/gatherings
Remain at home if you are ill and call the COVID19 hotline on 333-0911 or 232-9444
Get vaccinated or a COVID19 booster shot if you are eligible
National Public Health Laboratory: COVID-19 Sample processing delays
The National Public Health Laboratory wishes to inform the public that due to equipment failure, results scheduled to be issued in the last 24 hours have been delayed. While we are working on a solution and have activated contingency mechanisms, there may be further delays. Consequently, the current turn-around time for results is three (3) to five (5) working days.
Please note samples impacted include those received by the laboratory on December 24th, 2021 and thereafter. Your continued patience and understanding is appreciated as we face the COVID-19 pandemic together.
National Health Update from Honourable Jamell Robinson Minister of Health and Human Services
Good morning, Turks and Caicos, Seasons Greetings and Happy Holidays to all. Before I continue, let me remind folks to register for the Let’s Move TCI Initiative by going to www.letsmovetci.com and getting registered at a low cost of $20. Let’s Move TCI for 2022!!
Having been given a very thorough update by our Health Technocrats for which I am always thankful, a few things are very clear. The Turks and Caicos has a very strong foundation with over 80% of the adult population being fully vaccinated, all visitors having to be fully vaccinated and requiring testing for entry, plus our health protocols i.e. face mask wearing, physical distancing, and personal hygiene. However; the two areas where we can be even stronger is with the Booster Program which is only at 13% of persons having received their 3rd shot and that of community testing.
I would like to encourage everyone who is eligible for a Booster shot to get one asap. If you have had your last shot over 3 months ago and you’re 18 years of age or 16 years or older with an underlying condition you are eligible. The Booster shot gives you an added layer of protection against hospitalization, which is very important.
Knowing your status is also important in our fight against Covid-19. Whether you’re vaccinated or unvaccinated, testing from time to time is very useful in assisting the MOH with having a clear picture of how this virus might be moving within our community, especially with the likely possibility of the Omicron variant already being within the TCI, though not confirmed as yet.
The Ministry of Health has provided the following schedule for COVID-19 community testing.This exercise will continue to be operated on a “first-come-first-serve” basis. The public is reminded to maintain physical distance of at least 6 feet and to wear a face covering/mask and to bring any form of Identification and a pen.
Grand Turk: Every Tuesday between 2pm-4pm at the Gazebo (Pond Street)
South Caicos: Every Tuesday between 9am-12pm at the Primary Healthcare Clinic
North & Middle Caicos: Every Monday between 9am-12pm at the Kew Clinic
Every Thursday between 9am-12pm at the Bottle Creek Clinic
Every Monday & Thursday between 9am-12pm at the Middle Caicos Clinic
Providenciales: Every Tuesday and Thursday between 9am-12pm at the National Stadium, Venetian Road
Additionally, the following are Testing Facilities with MOU’s with TCIG to provide free LFD
Tests:
o Family Care Medical
o Omnicare Medical
o Carolina Medical
o Associated Medical
o Grace Bay Medical
o TCI Hospitals
Before outlining the new measures to help strengthen our ability to combat Covid-19, I would like for the general public to understand a few things: In the coming days and weeks the number of positive cases is likely to fluctuate, know that we in the Ministry of Health and by extension the entire Government are monitoring what is happening and are on top of things. Also note that a key indicator of how things are going is how many people are being hospitalized which better speaks to whether or not our Health system is being overwhelmed.
With that said the 39th meeting of Cabinet was held virtually on Wednesday 29 December 2021,
At this meeting Cabinet:
• Approved amendments to the Arriving Passengers Health Clearance Regulations with effect from Friday 14 January 2022, lowering mandatory testing to two years old and above for visitors arriving and unvaccinated residents returning to the TCI.
• Approved an extension of the existing COVID-19 measures and protocols, which will come into effect from 05.00 (5am) on Friday 7 January 2022 unless otherwise stated and remain in place until 28 February 2022:
a) Social gatherings and social activities, including public beaches, of more than 50 persons and up to a maximum of 500 persons shall require a permit; and
b) Bi-weekly testing of front-line staff to include of teachers with an exemption of those that received their booster shot or became fully vaccinated within the last 3 months.
• Approved amendments to the Public and Environmental Health (COVID-19 Pandemic) Regulations - Power to Quarantine with effect from Friday 14 January 2022, including:
a) Reducing the quarantine period for vaccinated persons to seven days following the individual is asymptomatic after day 5 of isolation and provides two negative LFD tests taken 24 hours apart on day six and day seven of isolation.
Close contacts and their household continue to be required to quarantine for a period of ten days post the last exposure to COVID-19 with consideration for early release with individual asymptomatic after day 5 of isolation and provide a negative LFD test day seven of isolation, and
b) Unvaccinated persons, their contacts and their household continue to be required to quarantine for 14 days post the last exposure to COVID-19 if not medically evacuated by air ambulance.
As this will more than likely be my last official public appearance before 2022 dawns, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all citizens and residents of the TCI, whenever you are, a happy and healthy New Year. This is always a hopeful time as we celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another. Happy New Year!