Caribbean News

New Omicron Variant Causing Concern

Published

2 years ago

January 11, 2023

Deandrea Hamilton

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, January 11, 2023 – Weeks after the TCI government made the decision to extend the vaccine mandate for visitors to the country, a new variant of Omicron is spreading across the United States.

The US Centres for Disease Control says the new variant is called XBB1.5. and cases caused by it have doubled in as little as a week making it responsible for about 40 per cent of the COVID-19 infections in the country.

Listed as a Variant of Concern by the CDC, as all Omicron sub-variants are, it was recorded as far back as August but barely made a dent in infections with BA.5 still raging. In the past two weeks, however, it saw a massive increase according to data from the CDC outpacing all the other variants including BA.5.

As a terrible flu season continues in the county COVID-19 related hospitalisations are increasing thankfully XBB1.5. This variant has not proven to be more severe than its related sub-variants but infections have only just begun to increase and data may still be in the process of being collated.

Dr. Barbara Mahon, Director of CDC’s Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division, told NBC News “we’re seeing hospitalizations have been notching up overall across the country. They don’t appear to be notching up more in the areas that have more XBB.1.5.”

But as the flu season and the Covid wave continue and the holiday season comes to a close in the country, more people are getting infected and more people are getting seriously ill. In addition to that, the US is facing the opening of schools where mask mandates and social distancing have been for the most part discontinued.

There are at least 18 Omicron sub-variants recorded so far and BA.5 is now responsible for less than 4 per cent of infections.

Related Topics:#BarbaraMahon #cdc #magneticmedianews #newcovidwave #omicronsubvariants

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‘People will face consequences’ – VP Jagdeo on Adrianna Younge’s death

Published

23 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Guyana, April 25, 2025 – As the nation mourns the heartbreaking death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has expressed condolences to her family on behalf of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and called for full transparency in the ongoing probe.

During a press conference on Thursday, the Vice President described it as a “sad day for Guyana.”

He also made it clear that anyone within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) found to be involved in covering up the circumstances surrounding the child’s death will face severe consequences.

Dr. Jagdeo’s remarks come amid growing public outrage and scrutiny of the police’s handling of the case. He pointed to several troubling inconsistencies in the GPF’s initial report.

According to that report, Adrianna was at the swimming pool of the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, with her grandmother and siblings when she reportedly disappeared around 13:00-14:00 hours. The police initially claimed that the hotel’s CCTV system was non-functional; however, footage from external sources reportedly captured Adrianna entering a red and black Toyota Raum, bearing registration number PSS 4684, which was later seen heading east toward Vreed-en-Hoop.

“If they have that footage (the police) and they put it in the statement…they should immediately release that footage,” Dr Jagdeo said.

“Something is wrong, and we have to get to the bottom of it. We are not going to rest until that happens. And whoever is culpable, whoever, if there is a coverup, people will face consequences; we are not going to tolerate this. This young girl should never have lost her life.”

Just 24 hours after issuing the initial report, the GPF acknowledged discrepancies in the information released and has since launched an internal review.

Dr Jagdeo also spoke of the emotional toll the incident has taken on Adrianna’s family, stating, “I saw a video of the father speaking and how distraught he was. The family deserves answers, and the people of this country need answers.”

The discovery of Adrianna’s body in the hotel pool after hours of desperate searching has plunged the nation into deep mourning. Frustration over handling the case has sparked protests, with citizens demanding justice and accountability.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has since ordered the GPF to establish a special investigative team to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the child’s death.

“We must uncover the full truth of everything that transpired, and no resource or effort will be spared,” the President said via his official social media account.

President Ali also spoke directly with Adrianna’s mother, pledging the government’s full support in pursuing justice. President Ali has further instructed the GPF to compile a comprehensive report detailing all actions since the investigation began.

To support this, the government has ordered an independent autopsy and Barbadian forensic pathologist Dr. Shubhakar Karra Paul is expected to arrive in Guyana at 5:30 p.m. today to conduct the post-mortem examination.

VP Jagdeo also offered his condolences on behalf of the PPP to the families of Maline LaCruz, who was killed by her husband, along with her mother, Waveny LaCruz and sister, Sueann LaCruz. Maline’s younger brother, Ceon LaCruz, was also injured in the shooting and is in critical condition.

He said the government is committed to uncovering the details behind the shooting, particularly the legality of the gun used to kill the three women.

“Because if he had a legal firearm, after the assault, he was supposed to lodge the firearm … we will look at this matter,” he assured.

Caribbean News

Thousands of Students Benefit from Snack Programme

Published

4 days ago

April 22, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Meals served to students as part of the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Breakfast Programme.

BY: JUDITH A. HUNTER

Kingston, Jamaica, April 22, 2025 – Approximately18,803 students from183 schools are beneficiaries of the Nutrition Products Limited (NPL) Snack Programme.

This is bolstered by the NPL Breakfast Programme, which serves students under the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), which currently supports an additional 50,884 students across another 641 schools daily.

The Holy Trinity High School in Kingston (HTHS) was added to the NPL Snack Programme earlier this year, and according to the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI), this reinforces the Government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable students.

This addition is significant, as it aims to enhance learning outcomes while providing critical nutritional support to students who may otherwise struggle to concentrate and succeed, due to lack of proper nutrition.

The school is also the first to benefit from the recently launched Grade 7 Academy Programme which the MoESYI, in conjunction with the St. Michael’s College in Kingston, is piloting as part of an initiative to reimagining underperforming schools in Jamaica.

This initiative is designed to enhance the numeracy and literacy skills of students entering grade seven.

Director of Communication at the MoESYI, Ruth-Ann Carr, told JIS News that the Ministry recognises the critical link between proper nutrition and academic performance. So, through NPL, efforts are being made to address the needs of students who may not have access to adequate nutrition at home.

“By providing nutritious meals/snacks to these students, the programme seeks to improve their ability to concentrate, engage in lessons, and ultimately perform better academically. The initiative underscores the importance of addressing basic needs to foster an environment conducive to learning, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed, both inside and outside the classroom,” Ms. Carr explained.

Principal of HTHS, Karl Clark, underscored this connection. “Nutrition is not just about survival; it is integral to our students’ focus and engagement in learning. Many of our students rely heavily on the school for food, and we see first-hand how proper nourishment can influence their academic performance,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, noted the undeniable link between nutrition and academic performance.

“Nutrition plays a vital role in a student’s ability to concentrate and succeed academically. By ensuring that our students receive the proper nourishment, we are giving them the best possible opportunity to excel in their education and close the achievement gap in underperforming schools,” she said.

The Grade 7 Academy Programme has been described as a transformational project designed to create a robust framework for enhancing student-centred learning and development.

According to Mr. Clark, there is need for such frameworks. “With approximately 500 of our students on PATH, there are many other students who, despite not being enrolled in PATH, also need support and the school steps in to provide lunch for them. The Snack Programme allows us to address their immediate nutritional needs, while the Grade 7 Academy Project aims to create an environment that fosters academic success,” he said.

The NPL plays a critical role in the National School Feeding Programme, overseeing the distribution of baked goods categorised under Breakfast and Snack. The programme now covers a total of 824 schools nationwide.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NPL, Andrew Narine, has emphasised the broad impact of the School Feeding Programme.

“By ensuring that vulnerable students receive the nutrition they need to stay focused and engaged, NPL’s initiative directly supports the MoESYI’s mission to close the achievement gap in struggling schools,” the CEO said.

Meanwhile, Senator Morris Dixon said the Ministry continues to prioritise the improvement of literacy and numeracy through sustained nutritional support, and the NPL Snack and Breakfast Programmes stand as a testament to the collaborative efforts made towards student success.

“Integrating nutritional support with educational progress demonstrates that enhancing welfare is not merely a separate initiative but a vital element in raising educational standards throughout Jamaica,” the Minister said.

“By embracing these programmes, schools like Holy Trinity are not just filling stomachs, they are fostering achievement and transforming the landscape of education in Jamaica, a journey undeniably marked by the promise of a better future for all students,” she added.

Photo contributed

Bahamas News

CARIFTA Games 2025 – Trinidad & Tobago

Published

1 week ago

April 19, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

S C H E D U L E O F E V E N T S

The 2025 CARIFTA Athletics Games will be held at Hasely Crawford Stadium from April 19–21, while the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships take place at the National Aquatic Centre from April 19–22, with Open Water events on April 23 at Five Islands Beach.

Friday April 18, 2025

52nd CARIFTA Athletics Games and the XXXVIII CARIFTA Aquatics Championships Opening Ceremony

Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Admission Free

Saturday April 19, 2025

Athletics – Hasely Crawford Stadium: Port of Spain, Trinidad