Currently, three Belize Defense Force officers are positive for the COVID-19 virus. Lieutenant Colonel Velasquez confirmed that around forty-two percent of B.D.F. soldiers have been vaccinated to date and that this represents a significant increase from a few weeks ago. But is it enough? Especially since Statutory Instrument seventy-two mandates that as of Sunday, August […]
The national referral hospital is reporting more than thirty-five million dollars in unpaid patient medical bills. This is a huge amount that the chairman of the Karl Heusner Memorial hospital says could have gone towards expanding its services to include more of the kinds of treatment that Belizeans seek overseas. While the hospital will try […]
The Minister of Health and Wellness also addressed the situation of Doctor Marvin Manzanero who, after being replaced as the functional Director of Health Services in late 2020, has yet to settle into an agreed-upon position. While he still has the title of Director of Health Services, he is not carrying out the functions of […]
Frontline workers who are not vaccinated after Friday will be required to pay for bi-weekly COVID-19 tests. Where the employer is not providing these for free, those classified as frontline workers under S.I. seventy-four will have to pay out of pocket. While there has been some pushback against this mandate, Minister of Health and Wellness, […]
Before we had a COVID vaccine, the world was praying for one as millions of people helplessly watched their loved ones die. Now we have a vaccine and there is a degree of reluctance by some people to take it. That reluctance is what has led to and continues to lead to more COVID-related deaths. […]
Internist Doctor Mark Musa, who also appeared in the first segment of the show, said that if we rely only on herd immunity to defeat COVID, many of us will succumb. Dr. Mark Musa, Internist “When the virus is spreading it is trying to invade our immune system as well. It’s sole job is […]
And, while a large number of unvaccinated workers will have to pay out of pocket for bi-monthly COVID-19 tests, the Minister of Health and Wellness says he is encouraged by the uptake in vaccination among front-liners. Michel Chebat, Minister of Health and Wellness “In terms of persons who we have identified in the tourism […]
And members of the wider public are also turning out for their vaccinations. This morning News Five’s Duane Moody was at the heart of Belize City to talk to those getting their jab in places they normally only turn out for shopping. Duane Moody, Reporting The number of vaccinated persons in Belize is on […]
The Ministry of Health and Wellness continues with its nationwide vaccination campaign and this past Saturday, a vaccination centre was set up at the Michael Finnegan Market in Belize City. It joined in with the efforts from the Central Health Region as hundreds of persons accessed the area to get their first jab of the […]
The goal is to reach herd immunity, which is to have about seventy percent of the country’s population vaccinated. One hundred and twenty-one thousand four hundred and eighty-seven persons have received their first vaccination so far and forty-six thousand five hundred and ninety-six are fully vaccinated. The data is showing that of the COVID-19 patients […]
On Saturday afternoon a small group of persons, in support of the antivaxxer group, the Belize Rights and Justice Movement, organized a small protest at the Belize Civic Centre compound. They were holding placards and sharing information as to why they are against the vaccination exercise. We asked the Minister of Health and Wellness to […]
Belizeans are watching with growing concern the increase in COVID-19 cases, but what they may not be aware of is the change in demographics of the disease. According to officials at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, there have only been two cases of COVID in vaccinated persons; both of them were cancer patients. But it […]
Tonight, the C.E.O. in the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government, Valentino Shal is sharing his personal story about contracting COVID-19. He says his symptoms were mild; something he attributes to being fully vaccinated. Valentino Shal, Recovered COVID-19 Patient “Actually it was a Friday I started feeling bad and then […]
Today, Shal told reporters that he followed all the protocols, but still contracted COVID-19. He says this is why it is important to be safe and get vaccinated because you never know how or when you’ll be diagnosed with the virus. Valentino Shal, Recovered COVID-19 Patient “I had expected to contract it a long […]
The National Aids Commission today hosted a COVID-19 vaccination clinic and mini health fair at its offices in Coral Grove today. A portion of the street was blocked off to traffic as tents were erected and various stakeholders set up booths to engage residents who came out to get their jabs or who simply wanted […]
Here’s a heads up to restaurants and other businesses as nightlife activities are once again being restricted due to the increasing COVID-19 cases. Start changing your schedules now since the curfew will be extended once again. Minister of Health and Wellness Michel Chebat broke the news today that effective this Monday, July twenty-sixth, the curfew […]
And there is bad news tonight for some rural churches who have not heeded Ministry of Health warnings. Health and Wellness Minister Michel Chebat says that the data is showing increasing numbers in some villages due to church gatherings. While he declined to name which ones today, he says G.O.B. will be closing down these […]
Minister Chebat says that people not adhering to the public health measures and the increasing COVID-19 cases are burdening the healthcare system. As we’ve reported, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital is operating in “Emergency Mode” as the institution is overwhelmed with COVID-19 hospitalizations. Minister Chebat also speaks to irresponsible activities causing the increase in numbers. […]
The Ministry of Health and Wellness is carrying out a national vaccination campaign, which today took them to Orange Walk District where hundreds of residents came out get vaccinated. Scores of persons were getting either their first or second jab. This is promising as the country tries to get enough people vaccinated so that economic […]
The Belizean Rights and Justice Movement launched its anti-vaccination campaign last week. Since then, the Belize Medical and Dental Service as well as the Belize Broadcasting Authority have issued statements – the B.M.D.A. in respect of several individuals claiming to be doctors, but who are not in the system and then the B.B.A. which is […]
While many of the farmers in the agriculture industry have been vaccinated, today Agriculture Minister Jose Abelardo Mai told News Five that many in the Mennonite community have opted not to take the vaccine. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture “Most of the farmers I am in contact with, I speak to, have been […]
While with the Minister of Youth, Sports and E-Governance, we asked him about the possible resumption of contact sports since athletes and sporting associations have been clamouring for a further ease of restrictions, wanting to get back on the courts and pitches. But with the country now experiencing a third wave due to the rising […]
Three Belizean athletes are preparing for the Olympic Opening Ceremony on Friday in Tokyo. News Five has confirmed that at least two of our athletics competitors, Shaun Gill and Samantha Dirks have left for Tokyo already. But, amidst the excitement at the world’s largest sports stage, COVID-19 concerns are mounting. According to international news reports, […]
As we reported earlier this week, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital has gone into full emergency mode and has suspended all its outpatient and referral clinics in order to focus on the current COVID outbreak. K.H.M.H. Chairman, Doctor Andre Sosa explained to News Five today that currently, the hospital has thirteen diagnosed COVID patients that […]
If the COVID hospitalizations get worse, a concern is that there will be a shortage of nurses. Since the migration of a significant number of Filipino nurses two months ago and the completion of the tour of duty for the Cuban medical brigade, the K.H.M.H. has gone ahead to source other nurses to fill the void. […]
