Employee of Youth Department Positive for COVID-19

An employee of the Youth Department has tested positive for COVID-19. This has pushed the DYS to test a number of employees who came in contact with the individual. According to a press release, the senior staff member is attached to the Corozal branch. This was cause for concern, however, because earlier this week, he attended meeting with colleagues from across the country.  Today, Minister of Youth Kevin Bernard spoke with the media via zoom about the positive case.

Kevin Bernard

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Youth

“It was observed on Tuesday, I believe, in the morning that one of the coordinators who originally works out of Corozal office was showing signs and symptoms of COVID. He was asked to go home so that he can get tested. It was then reported to us yesterday that his results came out positive. So, as a responsible Ministry and Government, in our department the director and I spoke with the CEO, and then we made the decision to immediately ask that that everybody involved in the strategic session to be tested. So, arrangements has been made with the Ministry of Health to get them tested and contact trace because remember these people go home to their families and to others. So, that is the first step. We have been able to get back so far only two responses which were negative. They did the first rapid test and those were negative but I believe they are all going to be doing the PCR test because we want to ensure that everybody is on the safe side.”