COVID-19 Pandemic – Virgin Islands Free Press

Missouri seeks federal help in pressing China for $25 billion in COVID damages

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) — Missouri has escalated its attempt to seize Chinese government-owned property across the United States, asking the Trump administration for help collecting on a roughly $25 billion court…

John McCarthy November 20, 2025

Breaking News Health News International News

COVID origin FINALLY revealed in bombshell study…and it might not have been China after all

American researchers believe they've pinpointed when and where COVID first emerged — and it might not have been in China. Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, say they've uncovered evidence that…

John McCarthy May 7, 2025

Breaking News Business News Education News

Top FDA vaccine official Peter Marks resigns in opposition to RFK Jr.

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration’s top vaccine regulator Peter Marks has resigned, citing Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “misinformation and lies” around immunization, according…

John McCarthy March 29, 2025

Breaking News Health News International News

Pandemic fears as NEW coronavirus is discovered in bats by China-linked scientist

HONG KONG — A new coronavirus feared to be able to spread to humans has been discovered by a China-linked scientist. Researchers from Brazil and colleagues affiliated with the University of Hong Kong detected the…

John McCarthy March 14, 2025

At VIFreep Breaking News Business News

Puerto Rico Professional Baseball Players and Coaches Swept Up In Federal Indictments

SAN JUAN — A federal grand jury in Puerto Rico indicted 44 people accused in a $1.2 million scheme to illegally obtain pandemic relief funds, authorities said. The suspects are accused of…

John McCarthy May 21, 2023

At VIFreep Breaking News Business News

Royal Caribbean Reports Smaller-Than-Expected Loss; Forecast Disappoints

MIAMI (Reuters) — Royal Caribbean Group reported a smaller-than-expected loss for its fourth quarter today, as pent-up demand for leisure travel helped offset the pressures from rising fuel prices and stronger…

John McCarthy February 7, 2023

At VIFreep Breaking News Government House News

Health Department Says COVID-19 Still Presents Challenges To The Territory

CHRISTIANSTED — During the weekly Government House briefing this afternoon, Territorial Epidemiologist Dr. Esther Ellis said that active COVID-19 cases in the U.S. Virgin Islands continue declining, and the Virgin Islands…

John McCarthy October 17, 2022

At VIFreep Breaking News Community Affairs

USVI Records 123rd COVID-Related Death

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The U.S. Virgin Islands has notched its 123rd death linked to COVID-19, the Virgin Islands Department of Health reported Friday. A 68-year-old woman on St. Thomas died of…

John McCarthy September 10, 2022

At VIFreep Breaking News Business News

Dufry’s Turnover Doubles As Sales Inch Towards 2019 levels

KINGSTON — Swiss duty-free retailer Dufry said on it saw strong sales momentum continue this summer despite the soaring inflation, after its turnover more than doubled in the first six months…

John McCarthy September 4, 2022

At VIFreep Breaking News Business News

VITRAN Reduces Bus Schedule During DPW Week On St. Thomas

CHARLOTTE AMALIE —VITRAN St. Thomas will operate on an abbreviated schedule on Friday, July 15, 2022, to allow VITRAN staff to participate in DPW employee appreciation activities, according to DPW.…

John McCarthy July 12, 2022