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The San Juan Business Association says there is a growing trend of attacks on owners in and around the area.

President of the association Vivek Charran yesterday said concerns among business operators are increasing.

Last Sunday morning there was a fatal attempted robbery at the Happiness Supermarket in Barataria.

The owner of the supermarket was killed and some of his staff members were wounded.

The name of the dead Chinese national is given as Xian-Grong Dhang.

Eight suspects are in police custody.

Mr. Charran is horrified by the incident.

Among the suspects are two women and 2 Venezuelan nationals.

According to Mr. Charran that in itself is new and requires some analysis.

He noted the apparent age of the suspects.

Police say the suspects entered the business place at around 4am, carrying cutlasses and knives.

They went to the upper floor of the building where they attacked the employees and their boss.

According to police the suspects are from Belmont, Morvant and Laventille.

Police say from all indications it was an accident involving a truck, which led to the death of 44-year-old Rodney Ramsundar.

Mr. Ramsundar was killed at Syne Village, Siparia yesterday morning.

He was said to be walking along the roadway when a hydraulic device attached to a passing truck hit him.

Reports say the device became loose and flung open hitting Mr. Ramsundar in the head.

He died at the scene.

Police have been interviewing the driver of the truck.

An employee of the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago tests positive for COVID-19.

In a statement yesterday UDECOTT said an employee tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Saturday.

The employee’s last day of work at UDECOTT’s head office on Sackville Street, Port of Spain, was August 18^th.

UDECOTT notes that it took immediate action on being informed of the employee’s status.

The company explains that deep sanitisation of its head office was carried out on Sunday while all staff of the Finance Department were advised to self-quarantine for a 14-day period.

UDECOTT assures its operations would not be affected as matters related to the Finance Department’s functions would be addressed over the 14-day period.

It also says that all COVID-19 safety protocols have always been practiced at all UDECOTT locations including office sites, project sites and venues, to ensure the health and safety of all employees.

UDECOTT makes the point that employee safety remains a top priority for the organisation.

It further adds that it will continue its robust sanitisation schedule, which was implemented in, May 2020.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh says there is evidence to suggest that there are specific places where spread of the virus seems more likely.

Among such places, bars and places of worship are among the areas leading the spread of the virus.

However National Bishop of the Pentecostal Assembly of the West Indies, Don Hamilton disagreed.

Bishop Hamilton yesterday told Newscenter 5 while it may be possible for clusters at church; he believes religious entities in this country have been following health protocols.

Meanwhile the Bar Keepers and Owners Association call for a meeting with the Prime Minister.

Yesterday Vice President Sateesh Moonasar also said only those who refuse to comply with the guidelines should be closed.

He noted that the restrictions currently in place are already forcing the closure of some establishments.

He called the situation dire and believes a different approach should be taken.   

The Ministry of Health is promising to speed up the delivery of COVID-19 test results.

There have been growing concerns about the time it is taking for COVID-19 testing and the delivery of the results.

Yesterday the Ministry of Health said steps are being taken to change that.

Dr. Naresh Nandram yesterday denied what he called the narrative, which claims people are dying while awaiting results.

But Dr. Nandram is now promising that results will be delivered within minutes at public health institutions.

He also said testing facilities are being increased.

Yesterday an elderly man became the country’s latest COVID-19 fatality.

The Minister of Health said the patient had pre-existing medical conditions.

As of last evening the total number of cases stood at 1,099.

The Ministry said yesterday’s total, including the increase by 24 in the morning and another 68 late yesterday afternoon are the results taken from samples for the period August 20^th to August 24^th.

There were yesterday 919 active cases.

Of the 24 positive cases reported yesterday morning, 18 were tested at private labs.

A freak accident in Siparia claims the life of a 44-year-old man.

He is identified as Rodney Ramsundar of Syne Village, Siparia

Mr. Ramsundar was killed after a crane detached from a truck and struck him while he was walking along the roadway in Syne Village.

According to reports, shortly after 7 o’clock this morning, a crane truck was driving along the SS Erin Road, heading in the direction of Penal. 

However, it is said on reaching Victor Street, the crane came loose, flung open and struck Mr. Ramsundar in the head.

He died on the scene.

The driver of the truck is being questioned by the police.

Siparia police are investigating.

Operations at the Hall of Justice have been temporarily shut down for sanitization of the building.

In a statement this morning the Judiciary said no one will be allowed into the court until sanitisation has been completed.

It said vacating the building has become necessary as a precautionary measure given that the COVID-19 status of some officers is being examined.

The Judiciary said while no one has been confirmed as COVID-19 positive, the usual precautions for this level of exposure has called for the current course of action.

The sanitisation of the Hall of Justice will be conducted as required and there will be no in person hearings or activities until further notice.

Attention is also drawn to the Judiciary’s practice direction No. 5 of August 17, 2020, which has dealt with the general discontinuation of in-person hearings except in limited circumstances.