‘Nothing to hide,’ says Professor Robertson
Professor Richard Robertson has refuted claims that his team was hiding information.
By: Dayle Da Silva•
There is no effort by the authorities monitoring the activities at La Soufriere to hide anything from the public.
So said Professor Richard Robertson on radio on January 10. The Professor is head of The UWI Seismic Research Centre (SRC) team currently on the ground in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Professor Robertson reiterated the call for the public to access information on the volcanic activity from credible sources, including the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO).
The advice followed an article which was published in the Daily Mail, suggesting that an eruption was imminent.
COVID-19 cases increase
By: Dayle Da Silva•
Seven new cases have been added overnight (January 13/14) to the overall tally of COVID-19 cases here.
That number, as of the morning of January 14, stood at 340.
Tamara Bobb, Epidemiologist in the Ministry of Health, said at a press briefing on January 13, that up to that date 49 new cases had been recorded.
This after 31 cases had been recorded on January 12, with all those testing positive being locals with no recent travel history.
According to Bobb, they were still conducting investigations on 8 of the 49 new cases to determine whether they were imported or among locals with no recent travel history.
Opposition Parliamentary St Clair ‘Major’ Leacock was said to be at home resting, following an incident that occurred on Sunday, January 10, at Redemptions Sharpes. Reports are that Leacock, who is the MP for the area, fell down a flight of stairs and ca
St. Clair Leacock, MP for West Kingstown, was up to Monday last, said to be resting at home but still in some pain.
By: Dayle Da Silva•
Opposition Parliamentary St Clair ‘Major’ Leacock was said to be at home resting, following an incident that occurred on Sunday, January 10, at Redemptions Sharpes.
Reports are that Leacock, who is the MP for the area, fell down a flight of stairs and came to a stop in the road, not far away from a parked car.
Early vaccine arrival? PM not optimistic
There is no firm indication as to when a COVID-19 vaccine would be made available here.
By: Dayle Da Silva•
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said that he is not optimistic about the coronavirus vaccine arriving here by the time it is estimated to do so.
Last week, at a press briefing, Dr. Simon Keizer-Beache, Chief Medical Officer, had pointed to an effort to have the vaccine here within the first quarter of the year.
But even with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) making a down payment for 20 percent of the vaccines required and anticipating that they would be coming by the end of March, Dr. Gonsalves said that he had his doubts about is arrival.
Gov’t to continue to pay benefits
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves would want to continue assistance made to displaced workers in 2020, but admits that it would be a balancing act regarding revenue and expenditure.
By: Dayle Da Silva•
The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will continue to provide temporary unemployment benefits and payouts to persons in the hospitality sector and to seafarers.
Speaking on radio on January 10, the Prime Minister disclosed that some EC$8.4 million had already been paid out to 4,309 recipients, since the programme commenced in April 2020 and up to December 26, 2020.
Of this amount, the National Insurance Services (NIS) paid out some EC$2.4 million with the government providing just over $6 million.