St. Croix Chamber of Commerce

Growing St Croix's Economy Together

Chamber Member Services

Veterans Opportunity for COVID-19 Vaccination

The VA Caribbean Healthcare System will be offering COVID-19 vaccinations to the following groups of Veterans:

  • Veterans eligible for and receiving care at VA who are 55 years of age or older
  • Veterans that are Hemodialysis, Chemotherapy, Spinal Cord patients
  • Veterans that are Organ Transplant patients
  • Homeless Veterans
  • Veterans that are First Responders (EMT, Police, Nurses, Firefighters, etc.)

NOTE: Vaccinations will be offered for Veterans both in the St. Croix district and St. Thomas/St. John district.

St. Croix Veterans will have the first opportunity on January 27th and 28th 2021. Coordination is currently being finalized for the St. Thomas/St. John district and will be published once completed.

Location Time:

  • Old Nissan Building, Christiansted, JAN 27 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
  • Old Nissan Building, Christiansted JAN 28 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Priority will be given to those veterans who schedule a vaccine appointment by calling
(787) 641-4591. Walk-ins will be accepted only if vaccines remain once all appointments have been accommodated. Those, if any, will be available while inventory lasts. Veterans taking the vaccine must be available to receive their second dose in 28 days to complete.

Veterans can get up-to-date information on the Office of Veterans Affairs website at
www.veterans.vi.gov calling the office @ (340) 774-8387, or by texting the word VIVets (no spaces) to 888-652-8387

ProHealth Urgent Care’s Staff Receives COVID-19 Vaccine

St. Croix, VI – December 29, 2020 – ProHealth Urgent Care, a medical facility serving patients in St. Croix, continues to take every initiative and precaution during the COVID pandemic to care for the community safely.

ProHealth Staff

ProHealth received their allocated Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 17th, and by 2:00 p.m., the majority of the staff were already vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. The process was part of Phase 1a of the rollout, allotted for front line healthcare workers as defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the USVI Department of Health (DOH). ProHealth Urgent Care also received a shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines on Monday, December 21st.

With over 40 years of medical experience, Medical Director Dr. John Charles Perez was the first to receive his COVID vaccine at ProHealth on Thursday. When asked how he felt to have taken the long-awaited vaccine, Dr. Perez exclaimed, “I feel like a million bucks!” He continued, “I have been encouraging our patient population to embrace the COVID vaccine, and felt it was important to lead by example. I would never recommend for our patients what I would not do for myself or my family.  I consider our community members as family.”

Medical Director Dr. John Charles Perez receives COVID-19 Vaccine

According to Executive Director Dr. Ann Mullings, MD, “shortly after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines, the DOH was able to quickly and strategically distribute the vaccines within the Territory.” She added, “there has been nationwide concern among healthcare workers throughout this COVID-19 pandemic. This week has been the most hopeful week since the pandemic began.” Dr. Mullings also expressed that “the COVID vaccine will now allow healthcare workers to safely care for the patients we serve, and to contribute to immunity levels within our community.”

Operations Manager Dr. Trisha Harris and Registered Nurse Supervisor Alexa Cintron were instrumental in organizing the team and preparing the COVID-19 vaccines to be administered as soon as they were received. Dr. Harris expressed, “at ProHealth, we are doing what we can to combat the pandemic and return to some sense of normalcy. The COVID-19 vaccination is the first step in that direction.” 

ProHealth Urgent Care is committed to safety and is poised to administer both the Pfizer and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccinations are being provided through a phased approach led by the CDC and DOH.  The phased guidelines outlining the next patient population to receive the COVID 19 vaccine, along with start date, will be provided and communicated by the CDC and the DOH.    ProHealth wants to emphasize to the community that the vaccine is not to be feared but is instead something to be embraced as a way of keeping the community healthy and safe.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is for use in individuals 16 years of age and older.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorization to Moderna for its vaccine, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended the vaccine for people ages 18 and older.

ProHealth Urgent Care LLC is a new state-of-the-art ambulatory care facility on St. Croix that offers diagnosis, observation, consultation, treatment, intervention, laboratory, pharmacy, and imaging services on an outpatient basis (www.prohealthvi.com).   ##  

Safety in Paradise: FREE Online Services and Resources for COVID-19

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Safety In Paradise (SIP) Program is closely monitoring COVID-19 which is a global health care concern.  Containing the virus at this point is especially critical to reduce the spread of the disease and its impact on businesses, workers, customers, and the general public.  Employers must have a plan in place to address this and other potentially disruptive conditions.   

safety in paradise logo

As a result of the ongoing pandemic, SIP would like to offer FREE assistance to members of the business community.  Although in-person contact is currently limited as we maintain social distancing, the Consultation staff is readily available to assist your members remotely. 

What is Safety In Paradise?     

Safety In Paradise is a free and confidential OSHA consultation service provided by the University of the Virgin Islands – Center for Excellence and Leadership and Learning (UVICELL).  Services are available at no cost to private-sector employers and non-profits.  Our goal is to help employers establish and maintain effective occupational safety and health programs to keep the workplace healthful and safe.  Services are available in English and Spanish.

To assist you, the current online services are available:

Formal Training Topics:

  • OSHA’s Guidelines on Protecting Workers from the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV or Covid-19)
  • Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134
  • Guidance for use of respirators and fit-testing for workers exposed to COVID-19
  • Record Keeping: Are COVID-19 cases recordable?   

OSHA Compliance Assistance:

  • Applying OSHA’s hierarchy of controls to current operations:
    • How to protect workers during COVID-19 operations, what new controls your company may need?
    • Limited online guidance for job hazard analysis for current tasks 
  • Development/Update of the Company’s Health and Safety Programs:
    • Respiratory Protection Program
    • Bloodborne Pathogens
    • Exposure Control Plans
    • Cleaning and Sanitizing Guidance

We hope that you take advantage of these FREE Services.

For COVID-19 resources, visit the Safety In Paradise website at http://safety.uvi.edu.  For online assistance, please send an email to safetyinparadise@uvi.edu or complete the form using the following link https://forms.gle/ehyAAEGD7gQW9ZqL7.

Chamber Members Respond to COVID-19 with Action

Chamber Members working together

While our community faces many challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic that has not only affected the Territory of the US Virgin Islands, but the entire globe, many of our St Croix Chamber Members have stepped up to the challenge through innovation and collaboration.

While accommodations are closed to new bookings through at least April 30th, many of our local Hotels and Accommodations are hosting Government and Relief Workers and those here on essential business in the Territory.

Sion Farm Distillery, Home of MUTINY Island vodka once again showed off their innovation by producing breadfruit alcohol + Aloe hand sanitizer, filling a much needed void in the islands. In addition they are collaborating on the project with other Chamber Members:

Leatherback Brewing Company has jumped in to help by using their fermenters to increase capacity and productivity. Sion Farm is producing the hand sanitizer for commercial businesses and to be distributed to local stores via Caribbean Crafted. Businesses should contact orders@caribbeancrafted.com to set up an account, add you to their mailing list and provide more detail.

Hand sanitizer gallons can be purchased at Plaza Extra East, Plaza Extra West and other local stores.

Cultured Naturals Body Care is also using Sion Farm’s breadfruit alcohol to create personal hand sanitizer available by pre-order at their Christiansted shop. Their sanitizing products are germ fighting with a 70% alcohol strength which makes it very effective in killing microbes . Nurse, Ramone Reid, created this product to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 Virus , She also noted how many persons were being impacted emotionally by the situation and decided to couple aromatherapy with her hand sanitizer products. $9.99/8oz bottle. Call 340-626-8232 to pre-order. Business inquires email culturednaturalsbc@gmail.com

Glass 2000 Inc. stepped up quickly to get shields installed at Plaza Extra West to protect customers and employees at registers.

Plaza Extra West has also been providing hand-washing stations outside of the store and offers shopping hours exclusively for seniors on Mondays from 6:30 AM-10 AM.

Restaurants:

Many of our Chamber Chamber Members are offering take-out meals to keep operations going. We recommend visiting their facebook pages regularly for updates

Fitness:

icycle St Croix is providing bike rentals for members and online classes

https://www.facebook.com/icyclestx

Medical:

plessen telemedicine

Plessen Healthcare LLC has been at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic providing timely press releases with information on changing protocols and ways for the community to stay safe. They have also pioneered telemedicine in the Territory prior to the outbreak but have since stepped up those services to include regular visits with local professionals as well through their easy to use Kareo app. Telemedicine visits are covered by CIGNA, United Healthcare, and Medicare
with affordable self-pay rates. Appointments can be made by calling 340-715-7720 or email myhealth@plessenhealthcare.com

Plessen Healthcare Pioneers Telemedicine in the Territory
neighborhood pharmacy

Neighborhood Pharmacy is continuing operations (including FREE delivery) with restricted access. Currently they are operating drive-thru only for prescription pick-up. For customers not using a vehicle, a pharmacy associate will assist you from the front door for your safety. They continue to promote and advise on space restrictions to limit potential exposure. Delivery and mail are an option as well in case you do not want to come out or if you are at risk.

Call Neighborhood Pharmacy at 340-718-6784 for any questions or text 340-626-4333

Banks and Financial Institutions:

Many local lenders are participating in the SBA – Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Chamber Member banks include Bank of St Croix, Banco Popular and FirstBank Virgin Islands.
Click on the links below to visit their COVID-19 resource pages for more information.

Visit our Chamber COVID-19 Resources page for more information on SBA funding

Non-Profits

Early on Chamber Member Limetree Bay responded to the pandemic locally by updating protocols and activating their Incident Command Center and team.

Limetree Bay Activates COVID-19 Response Plan After Confirmation of First Related Case in Village

BAH Aboard Schooner Roseway

February 2019 featured an exciting Business After Hours (BAH) aboard World Ocean School / Schooner Roseway 

Though the sea conditions (high winds and rough seas) prevented us from sailing out of Christiansted Harbor, the event was a wonderful evening of networking at this unique venue. We motored over to the mooring and enjoyed the views of the picturesque harbor and a lovely spread including fresh out of the galley oven hors d’oeuvres.

At the start of the event, Executive Director Eden Leonard described World Ocean School’s local educational programs, including the new Maritime Academy in partnership with Central High School. Listen to her in the video below, it’s quite an exciting program!

Roseway is here for another month until she heads to her summer home in Boston. Book a sunset sail before she goes at www.worldoceanschool.org

Proceeds from sunset sails benefit the great work they do for youth in our community.

  • BAH Aboard Schooner Roseway Feb 19
  • BAH Aboard Schooner Roseway Feb 19
  • BAH Aboard Schooner Roseway Feb 19
  • BAH Aboard Schooner Roseway Feb 19