COVID Concerns on La Isla Bonita Grows

Christopher Noble

Ambergris Caye has registered one thousand and eighteen cases of COVID-19. Three hundred and forty-two of those cases remain active. There are concerns growing that a surge in cases is being experienced on the island. In a now deleted Facebook post, the medical officer surveillance focal point on Ambergris Caye Doctor Javier Canul expressed worries on the matter. He said: “we took forty-three samples at the flu clinic. Of these we did fifteen rapid tests. Of these, seven came back positive!” The doctor said that, “sadly this is not surprising since we were expecting a surge after election. This should serve as an eye opener and reminder to keep our guard up and continue safe practices.” According to Doctor Canul, the island has also recorded cases of co-infections, persons who have COVID-19 and dengue. He says that one person is admitted at the Doctor Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic Two and that the person cannot be referred to the K.H.M.H. in Belize City because the hospital it filled to capacity. Director of Health Services Doctor Marvin Manzanero had said that the K.H.M.H. COVID-19 capacity is twelve patients.  Coastal Executive Unit Commander Superintendent Christopher Noble worries that the number of police officers who are COVID-19 positive might increase.

Supt. Christopher Noble, Commander, Coastal Executive Unit

“The COVID-19 pandemic, well is from the health sector we have been dealing with it. It is just as you note we follow the guidelines and hopefully we don’t get bog down with police men being COVID positive.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Has that number increased recently?”

Supt. Christopher Noble

“I can’t say because we have very minimal numbers on the island.”