Briefs

UWI lecturers strike

Students at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus, might not have access to their December 2021 final-exam results amid industrial action by hundreds of lecturers.

This announcement comes in the wake of a vote from more than 800 lecturers at The UWI to go on strike with immediate effect, citing their frustration with the university’s failure to settle a remuneration dispute.

The West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT) said that despite efforts to reach an agreement, the campus administration has reportedly not responded favourably to the union since their last meeting on December 20, 2021.

Black River and Santa Cruz police lock-ups quarantined

There are fears of an outbreak of COVID-19 among the inmate population at the Black River and Santa Cruz police lock-ups.

Superintendent Dwight Daley, commanding officer of the St Elizabeth Police Division told The Gleaner that as of Monday and Wednesday, respectively, inmates at both facilities have been exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness was contacted to collect swab samples from each detainee, which were then tested to see if they had contracted the virus.

Inmates at both stations have been put on quarantine.

Also, the Department of Correctional Services is reporting an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases among the inmate and staff population in correctional centres in recent weeks.

Currently, eight inmates have tested positive for the virus while 15 staff members have tested positive and are now in isolation.