🌱 VI Schools Will Be Virtual Jan 10, COVID Keeps Spiking + More

Good morning folks. Governor Bryan held his weekly press conference yesterday and made a few school-related announcements. We're just under 2,500 active cases of COVID-19 in the territory and I'm reading predictions that this outbreak will peak in mid-January.

Here are some of the local stories I'm following:

• U.S. Virgin Islands Coronavirus Map and Case Count (via the The New York Times) and 2,493 active cases as of Jan. 3. That's 382 new cases since Jan 2. (via the V.I. Health Department)
• Gov. Albert Bryan, Jr. announced Tuesday that all schools will return virtually on January 10 with a goal of resuming in-person by January 24. Given the latest COVID-19 numbers, Bryan stressed the need to assess available staff and vaccinate as many students before bringing students and staff back in the classroom. Full story in The Source.
• V.I. animal shelters will offer low-cost spay and neutering services. The announcement came from the St. Thomas Humane Society. The V.I. government is providing funds to support the campaign. Initially, $25,000 will be awarded for both St. Croix and St. Thomas shelters and $10,000 for the St. John shelter. Those funds will go towards a voucher program that pet owners can use to have their cats and dogs fixed. Read more in the Virgin Islands Daily News.
• News of St. John just published a guide to "eating local" on St. John. They rounded up all the Caribbean-inspired eateries. My personal favorite, The Roti King, even made the list. Check it out!

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Weather: Sunshine with a stray shower. High: 84 Low: 76.

Today's Events:

• Nateli Ruiz Hip-Hop masterclasses (6:30 AM)
• Wednesdays with Wayne at Lovango Rum Bar in St. John (5:00 pm.)
• Los Drunk Dumplins are playing at The Landin Beach Bar in Christiansted (5:30 p.m.)
• Catch Steve Katz at Deep End Bar & Grill in Christiansted (6:00 p.m.)
• Try your hand at Trivia at Hotel On The Cay in Christiansted (7:00 p.m.)

Pulled from Social:

• As of 01/04/2022, here is the latest VIDOH information on COVID-19 cases, demographics, and testing numbers... (Facebook)
• Join the VI Department of Education on the second Wednesday of every month, from 6-7 p.m., to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine for VIDE students and employees. (Facebook)
• DPW St. Croix crews repaired a small retaining wall in downtown Christiansted. (Facebook)

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— Ashleigh Baldwin

About me: I'm the Patch Community News Editor for the U.S. Virgin Islands. I'm here to provide news you can use. Do you have a news tip, question or feedback? Please contact me at ashleigh.baldwin@patch.com.