B.D.F. Soldier Tests Positive for COVID-19

The virus is proving hard to control and the list of patients is getting longer and longer with every passing day. On Wednesday, the Belize Coast Guard registered its first case of the coronavirus and by Wednesday night, it had spread to the B.D.F.  A soldier tested positive among the samples of the day. Contact tracing started in earnest at Price Barracks in Ladyville, the headquarters of the force, where the soldier came in contact with others.  The B.D.F. confirmed the case via a press release in which it said that the officer is asymptomatic and is isolated at home. Brigadier General Steven Ortega told News Five that the B.D.F. patient probably had contact with other officers.

On the Phone: Brig. Gen. Steven Ortega, Commander, B.D.F.

“I got a call this morning that a member of the force tested positive and from there we had liaise with the Ministry of Health along with our medical personnel to the do the contact tracing and that is where we are presently. The B.D.F. member is asymptomatic. He is isolated at home.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Is there the possibility of spread because I believe that he shares office with two or three officers?”

On the Phone: Brig. Gen. Steven Ortega

“No, he has his own office but he probably had interaction with them so that is why we are conducting contact tracing.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Does he know how or where he got infect?”

On the Phone: Brig. Gen. Steven Ortega

“Not to his knowledge, from what I gathered from. Whenever the contact is completed we will have a better of the number that will need to be isolated and tested.”