M.O.H.W. Concerned About Increase in COVID-19 Cases
The Belize Police Department says that it’s cracking down on social events to curb the growing number of COVID-19 cases. On Wednesday, there were twenty-four newly confirmed cases which bring the total active cases to one hundred and fifty-three. In its press release, the Belize Police Department warned the public that there will be, “stricter enforcement of the COVID-19 regulations.” It goes on to say that the cops will be monitoring social events and activities countrywide, including but not limited to wakes, nightclubs/bars operating as restaurants, private parties, weddings and beach parties. And the police say that as patrons you will also be prosecuted. The, “The general public is advised to protect themselves by not hosting or attending these events. Anyone caught in violation of these protocols will be prosecuted.” Today, Minister Michel Chebat told the media that he is concerned about the increase in COVID-19 cases, particularly in the north and south.
Michel Chebat
Michel Chebat, Minister of Health & Wellness
“Well we had one death last week and we are seeing a rise in numbers. We are very concerned with the Orange Walk area and the Stann Creek area. We are seeing increasing numbers and I want to take this opportunity to invite the public to continue to adhere to the public measures. The last thing we would want is another lock down of this country but unless we have the cooperation from the public and if we see the numbers going up then we are going to be forced to go back to those measures and we are trying to avoid that all costs.”
Reporter
“Sir, do you think there is a reason the cases are specifically going up in Orange Walk? You said there was one death but we recorded three in Orange Walk last week?”
Michel Chebat
“We are looking at this index case from where this case originated from and we are trying to determine at this time whether it is a cluster or if there is a community spread. Our surveillance team is out there doing the contact tracing and that determination will be made shortly.”
Andrea Polanco
“Minister what you or your Ministry say about what’s causing this rise in cases; is it the gatherings?”
Michel Chebat
“It is certainly the behaviour. We said it every time and we continue to say it this virus is spread by human interaction. And so we have seen a lot of gatherings especially in the Orange Walk District where we have seen some blatant disregard for the public health measures. We have seen night clubs functioning at a complete level and they shouldn’t be functioning at all.”
Andrea Polanco
“Do you think we have relaxed our measures way too early and that has given the public the feeling that things are ok?”
Michel Chebat
“Well you know we went from a period where we were recording over five hundred cases per day to some days we were down to two, three, four cases and so I think it was natural that people felt there was a lull and felt that this pandemic is over which is not the case.”
Chebat says random testing continues but members of the public are more hesitant to get tested.
