Director of Health Services, Dr. Marvin Manzanero, reported earlier today that as many as one hundred and three tests have been conducted across the country to detect the presence of the novel corona virus. Of those tests, only three have since returned positive. The most recent case involves a Belize City man who is recovering. […]
Prime Minister Dean Barrow spoke to the nation today in a pre-recorded statement on the virus that’s turning life upside down. First, there is a third confirmed case of COVID-19. The person is from Belize City; he travelled from New York on March twentieth and is now in isolation. And now that there is a […]
As of Wednesday night, the restriction of free movement of citizens across the country will come into full effect as part of the state of emergency. Only persons who are deemed essential service workers, including law enforcement officers and health professionals, will be allowed to go about their respective duties outside of the imposed curfew. […]
Are there sufficient medical equipment and supplies to take us through this period of national shutdown, amid the COVID-19 crisis? According to PM Barrow, there is enough to last the country for a six-month period. As far as financial aid, in the form of loans from the Inter-American Development Bank, the prime minister admits that […]
To tide Belizeans over while funding from the international financial institutions is made available, government will be drawing down on monies that have been earmarked from its majority-owned utility companies, as well as the Social Security Board. Plans are also in place to bolster existing initiatives such as the BOOST and food pantry programmes. […]
The thirty-eight-year-old Belizean male, who contracted COVID-19 before traveling to Belize from New York City, remains in self-isolation tonight. Patient three is in Belize City, the economic and political hub of the nation, so the Barrow Administration is enforcing quarantine measures to prevent the spread of the deadly disease. Health experts say that patient three […]
The Ministry of Health is acquiring more equipment to be used to fight the virus. Doctor Manzanero says that further testing will be carried out to detect potential cases. According to the Director of Health Services, health officials have not been able to ascertain community transmission since all three cases are linked to imported cases. […]
There are more details tonight on the ten million-dollar donation granted by Lord Michael Ashcroft to the government to assist in the combat against COVID-19. The donation has been deposited with the Belize Bank in the name of “The Belize COVID-19 Response Fund” and is designated for the health and economic sectors. The Ministry of […]
Tonight, the country remains on the yellow phase, which is phase one of COVID-19. There are still only two confirmed cases of the virus in Belize and both are in San Pedro and involves a thirty-eight-year-old woman and her mother. The Ministry of Health says that the tests done between Thursday and today are all […]
So, as you heard just now, there are no new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The index patient and her mom remain in isolation on San Pedro. As you know, those two cases resulted in the state of emergency on the island. At this time, the ministry says the two patients are not exhibiting serious symptoms […]
Another issue covered today by the health experts was the matter of testing kits and other medical supplies that were known to be in limited quantity. Director of Health Services, Doctor Marvin Manzanero says a shipment of test kits and personal protective equipment is on the way to Belize. He outlined the schedule of arrival, […]
Earlier this week, the Belize Electricity Limited said it was making a contribution of one million dollars to assist in combating the spread of COVID-19. Now, the clamour on the ground has been for B.E.L. to waive electricity charges in the months ahead in light of the economic downturn and the joblessness faced by many […]
The Cuban government has been deploying teams of doctors and nurses to fight the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe. With considerable experience in combating deadly diseases, the Cuban health personnel are in demand, even in wealthy countries. This afternoon, a second brigade of health personnel arrived at the Philip Goldson International Airport and will join thirty-two […]
Minister of Health, Pablo Marin told News Five that today’s group will be assigned to the isolation area and intensive care unit at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Minister Marin says that today is a great day because of the almost ninety tests done in the country, only two have been positive up to now. […]
If you have been checking at stores and pharmacies, you would be out of luck for hand sanitizers. The item has sold out just about everywhere, as consumers prepare for COVID-19. But the folks at Travellers Liquors have come to the rescue since they already had in stock the main ingredient—high-proof alcohol. Relying on a formula […]
There are two cases of COVID-19 in Belize, but the deadly virus is already having a toll on the way of life. It is an enemy that attacks everyone from rich to poor from reds to blues; across the landscape, the people are all vulnerable to the contagious virus for which there is no cure. […]
There is no national shutdown, but government today instituted strict safety measures country to prevent the spread of the deadly corona virus. The COVID-19 crisis has paralyzed chunks of Belize’s economy and threatens widespread devastation. Countries like Spain, Italy, Iran, and even the great United States have been experiencing a losing battle against the novel […]
The new normal includes safety measures such as the closure of many business establishments such as casinos, beauty salons, gyms, bars, and restaurants. Groceries stores will remain open, but owners and managers are asked to adhere to the social distancing rules. Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General “Every business shall ensure that all customers and staff […]
The first COVID-19 case was imported; it involves a thirty-eight-year-old woman who entered the country after leaving Los Angeles last week Thursday. The Belizean woman was expected to self isolate but after landing on the island, she made some errands and visited her mother who was confirmed to be the second case of COVID-19. The […]
The tourism sector has suffered a trashing from the halting of cruise visits, the closure of businesses and the locking off of all ports of entry to Belize. Since last week, the Belize Tourism Board shaved off about one-third of its employ, with set package agreements for them to be able to brace for the bleak weeks and months ahead, courtesy […]
Government is moving to limit spending and contain expenditures in the public service by imposing a freeze on a number of measures due to the expected economic upheaval relating to COVID-19. A memorandum was issued today by the Financial Secretary directing the relevant authorities to take heed. Now, figures in the PM’s budget speech to […]
Public Service Union of Belize is calling on government to close all non-essential government offices across the country. Some ministries and departments have decided to close doors due to while others remain open. The P.S.U. is saying “amid this growing health and economic crisis, coupled with a depleted and unsafe transport system, the Union calls […]
Twenty-five-year-old Erika Vargas, a resident of Orange Walk Town, is the first person on record to be charged with spreading false news. The arraignment follows a stern warning from Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte on Wednesday in respect of the dissemination of false information regarding COVID-19. In a social media post on her Facebook account on […]
Tonight there is a second case of the highly contagious corona virus. The second case is the mother of the thirty-eight year old resident of the San Pedrito area of San Pedro. The announcement was made today that within three days of the first case, there is now another person carrying the virus. The first […]
San Pedro remains under lockdown tonight as San Pedranos observe a state of emergency imposed since Monday following the announcement of the first case of the virus. Generally, the streets have been empty as residents stay at home and tourism activities have come to a grinding halt. Those who travel to the island to work […]
