Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Apr 02, 2026

CTL donates a 25-tonne AC unit to hospital’s outdoor testing hub

CTL donates a 25-tonne AC unit to hospital’s outdoor testing hub

Through its affiliate, Tropical Air-Conditioning, CTL Home Center has offered a breath of fresh air to the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) with the donation of a 25-tonne AC unit yesterday, August 24.
The AC unit was donated to assist healthcare agents responsible for COVID-19 tests and those getting tested at the Dr D Orlando Hospital’s outdoor testing area located inside a tent at the facility’s parking lot.

Michael Thomas, General Manager at CTL, said he was moved to make the donation after testing positive for the virus a few weeks ago and being required to do a follow-up release test at the hospital’s tent.

“We came up to the hospital to do our release testing and when I walked inside the area with the healthcare professionals all clad in their PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment), and literally sweating, I turn to the nurse and I said, ‘Is this normal?’” Thomas shared.

According to the CTL boss, the nurse responded: “Well, this isn’t just normal, today isn’t such a bad day’.”

Thomas said he then questioned how the healthcare workers could function properly in light of the heat in the enclosure.

He said he subsequently made plans to have an air-conditioning unit placed in the space.

Manager for Tropical Air Conditioning, Ariel Smith said the unit was ordered and delivered within two weeks, but explained that an ideal unit for the testing centre may have taken up to six months to manufacture.

Acting CEO of the BVIHSA, Cedorene Malone-Smith, thanked the entities for their timely donation and stated that the BVIHSA could not achieve their goals alone.

“Having public-private partnerships to help us to get where we need to go, and to improve our services is what we need,” Malone-Smith stated.

She said the community health team has been working in the tent since March 2020 and has been doing tremendous work along with a team from Cuba.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Carvin Malone said he was particularly pleased with the level of corporate contributions that the CTL Home Center continues to make to the community.

Malone called the donation timely, and said it was critical in moving the testing hub forward, especially given the context of a recent COVID-19 spike of cases in the territory where more than 21,000 tests had been conducted at the location.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
King Charles III Invited to Address Joint Session of U.S. Congress in Rare Diplomatic Honor
Debate Grows Over Whether Expanded North Sea Drilling Can Reduce UK Energy Bills
UK Faces Heightened Risk of Jet Fuel Shortages, Airline Chief Warns
UK Ends Police Investigations into Lawful Social Media Posts After Review Finds Overreach
Abramovich Moves to Establish Charity for Frozen Chelsea Sale Proceeds Amid UK Dispute
Starmer Reaffirms NATO Commitment While Responding to Trump’s Strategic Critique
UK Aid Reductions Raise Fears of Severe Human Impact Across Parts of Africa
UK Signals Renewed Push for EU Cooperation as Iran Conflict Reshapes Security Landscape
Bank of England Signals Caution as Bailey Advises Markets Against Expecting Rate Hikes
UK to Convene Global Coalition to Restore Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz
Trump Signals Possible NATO Reassessment, Emphasizes Stronger U.S. Strategic Autonomy
Australia Joins British-Led Efforts to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions
King Charles Plans US State Visit as UK Strengthens Ties with Trump Leadership
UK Regulator Launches Investigation Into Microsoft’s Business Software Practices
Kanye West Set for High-Profile Return to UK Stage at Wireless Festival
Trump Presses Europe to Strengthen Commitment as Iran Conflict Escalates
UK to Deploy Additional Troops to Middle East Amid Rising Regional Tensions
UK Authorities Face Claims of Heavy-Handed Measures in Monitoring Released Pro-Palestine Activists
Trump Calls on UK to Secure Its Own Energy as Iran Conflict Intensifies
Nigel Farage Declines Invitation to UK Conservative Conference Led by Liz Truss
Trump Warns Allies to Take Responsibility as Rift Deepens with UK and France Over Iran Conflict
How Britain’s Prime Minister Controls U.S. Bomber Access in Escalating Iran Conflict
Trump Urges Allies to Secure Their Own Oil Supplies as Hormuz Crisis Disrupts Global Energy
Russia Expels British Diplomat as UK Pushes Back Against Pressure
White House App Faces Scrutiny After Claims of Continuous User Location Tracking
BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Allegations of Paid Content Linked to Saudi Arabia
UK-France Coastal Patrol Agreement Nears Breakdown Amid Migration Pressures
UK Police Detain Pro-Palestine Activist Again Weeks After Bail Release
FTSE 100 Advances as Energy and Mining Shares Gain Amid Middle East Tensions
Eli Lilly Seeks UK Pricing Deal to Unlock Renewed Pharmaceutical Investment
Three Arrested in UK After Massive Cocaine Haul Discovered Hidden in Banana Shipment
UK Fuel Prices Poised for Further Surge Amid Global Energy Pressures
Apple Subsidiary Penalized by UK Authorities for Breach of Moscow Sanctions
Western Allies Intensify Coordinated Sanctions Strategy Against Russia
UK Lawmakers Face Criticism Over Renewed Push for Social Media Restrictions
Starmer Signals UK Crackdown on Addictive Social Media Features
Rising Costs Push One in Five UK Hospitality Businesses to the Brink of Closure
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Attempted Murder After Car Strikes Pedestrians in UK, Injuring Seven
Escalating Conflict Involving Iran Tightens Fiscal Pressures and Highlights UK Economic Vulnerabilities
UK Moves to Confront Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Operating in Its Waters
UK Housing Divide Deepens as Older Owners Hold Wealth While Under-30s Face Mounting Barriers
London Demonstration Calls on UK to Recognize Iranian Opposition’s Provisional Government
UK Green Party Vote on ‘Zionism is Racism’ Motion Collapses Amid Internal Disputes and Technical Failures
SNL UK Ignites Debate with Sharp Royal Satire Targeting Prince Andrew and Prince William
EU Proposes ‘Emergency Brake’ to Resolve Deadlock in UK Youth Mobility Talks
Thousands Rally in London to Oppose Rise of Far-Right Movements
Hong Kong Official Rejects Allegations of Surveillance Orders Targeting UK-Based Dissidents
PayPal Expands Cryptocurrency Services to Allow UK Users to Buy and Sell Bitcoin
UK Minister Challenges Reform Party’s ‘Pro-Family’ Agenda as Debate Intensifies
Concerns Grow Over Meningitis Risk Among UK Students Amid Warning Signs of New Outbreaks
×