Antigen Rapid Tests are Coming

Marvin Manzanero

During the prime minister’s press conference last Friday, he announced the introduction of antigen rapid tests to replace the existing PCR tests that are being used to determine an individual’s COVID status.  Those tests were supposed to have been rolled out in Belize and Orange Walk districts but the process has been halted because of the hurricane threat earlier this week.  DHS Marvin Manzanero says that a field validation exercise will be conducted in Belize City as the first location for the rapid test rollout.

Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services

“We had also started the process of validation of a rapid test.  We had said that from a press conference that the prime minister had called last week Friday, slated to have been run out in Belize and Orange Walk Districts but again, because of what the hurricane situation, you know, you have to prepare for that so basically you have to prioritize and start just dealing with more key aspects.  So that process was stalled and it’s being taken up again and the process is that we will collect samples at the flu clinic in Belize City, so what we are doing is a field validation exercise for both rapid tests that we currently have along with a PCR test.  So that will be happening primarily in Belize City.”