Acting governor says agencies, EPA were investigating noxious odor on St. Croix

Acting Gov. Tregenza Roach said at a Government House briefing on May 10, 2021, that Virgin Islands agencies were investigating the source of a noxious odor affecting St. Croix and were working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Roach said the Virgin Islands Civil Support Team, the Virgin Islands Fire Service Hazmat unit and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources' Environmental Protection Division had spent the weekend pursuing the source of the emissions. DPNR Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol and Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion also gave updates during the briefing.

Roach also said the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Finance Department had issued 10,000 stimulus checks the previous week and planned to release a second batch of $1,400 checks during the week of May 10. He said Bosede Bruce began work as finance commissioner designee on May 10.

On Covid-19, Government House reported 94 active cases as of May 8, including 16 on St. Croix, 77 on St. Thomas and one on St. John. The territory had recorded 27 deaths, with three Covid-19 patients hospitalized at Schneider Regional Medical Center and none at Juan F. Luis Medical Center.

Encarnacion said the weekly positivity rate had risen to 3.33% from 1.86% a week earlier and said the increase on St. Thomas was tied to a cluster among unvaccinated people. She said the surge was likely linked to private gatherings held during what would have been Carnival weekend.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/acting-governor-roach-provides-details-on-investigation-into-noxious-odor-on-st-croix/