M.O.E. on COVID-19 Cases in City Schools

The Ministry of Education is attempting to allay the fears and concerns of parents who are sending their children to school for face-to-face instruction, amid the cases of COVID-19 that have been reported at primary schools in Belize City.  As we reported on Monday, a cluster of cases that originated at the Princess Casino has found its way into Queen Square Anglican and Wesley primary schools where a teacher and several students have tested positive.  While the ministry assures parents and the public that protocols continue to be followed closely.  This afternoon, Minister of Education Francis Fonseca provided an update on the status of the affected students, as well as the teacher, who remain in isolation at this time.

Francis Fonseca

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education

“Queen Square Anglican Primary School, one teacher tested positive.  All of the other teachers at the school have been tested as well, as well as the students who came into contact with that particular teacher.  Everyone has tested negative.  That teacher is in isolation but as I understand it, what has been done is the rapid test.  So the rapid test has come back positive, the PCR test has been taken but the results are still pending.  I think they expect to get those results sometime today.  Again, that teacher, it is important for the public to understand that that teacher, just as in the case of Wesley Primary School, the contact tracing established that that was linked to the Princess Casino outbreak.  The teacher has a relative who works there.  In the case of Wesley Primary School, the lower division, as you rightly said, there were four students who tested positive, I think ranging in ages from age twelve, ten, eight and seven.  As I understand it, the seven-year-old student is the only one who has exhibited some mild symptoms.  The others are asymptomatic.  Again there, those students have been isolated.  Again, all of their classmates have been tested and all of the teachers at Wesley Lower Primary School have been tested.  Again there, everyone else has tested negative, but again, it’s the rapid test that is being done.  The PCR test, they are still awaiting the results of the PCR tests.”