New Quarantine Measures Due to Reduced COVID Numbers

Michel Chebat

Both ministers were sure to point out that the loosening of the restrictions is only possible due to the marked decreases in the country’s COVID figures.  The numbers reflect that the virus’ positivity rate has decreased from over twenty percent around December seventeenth down to ten percent in the third week of January. While breaking down the numbers, Minister of Health and Wellness, Michel Chebat spoke of increase testing at high-risk institutions.

Michel Chebat, Minister of Health & Wellness

“In the Belize District, we had 1073 cases; in January that is now down to 348. In the Cayo District, we started at 983; we are now down to 273. In Corozal, 492; we are down to 62. In Orange Walk 625 cases; we are now down to 66. In Stann Creek, 462 cases and we are now at 128; and in the Toledo District, we started at 368; we are now at 152. We have commenced testing at high risk institutions, meaning institutions whose employees have a higher level of interaction with the public. These institutions include, but are not limited to the government ministries and departments, institutions that house the elderly, the B.D.F. camps, banks, call centers, media houses and big industries as well as supermarkets. Shortly, we shall also be knocking on your doors; we will be going house to house to make sure that we identify all of our citizens who may be afflicted by this virus.”

Vaccines are to arrive in late March to early April from the COVAX Facility, but the Ministry of Health and Wellness is looking at other options to acquire vaccines.