As to the number of new cases, after five o’clock this evening and after the press conference by Doctor Marvin Manzanero, the Ministry of Health’s infographic was released showing that of two hundred and sixty-one samples processed, thirty-four are positive. That staggering number places the total cases at one thousand one hundred and fifty-two. This […]
During the prime minister’s press conference last Friday, he announced the introduction of antigen rapid tests to replace the existing PCR tests that are being used to determine an individual’s COVID status. Those tests were supposed to have been rolled out in Belize and Orange Walk districts but the process has been halted because of […]
PCR tests have been touted as the gold standard for testing for COVID-19 and the Ministry of Health has been using this method consistently. But there are concerns that even after clearing the fourteen-day quarantine process, COVID victims are still testing positive for the disease. Today, Doctor Manzanero explained what their observations are with PCR […]
According to the Director of Health Services, it will take some patients several months to recover from the symptoms of COVID-19. He says that the observation is similar to dengue hemorrhagic fever. Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services “We’re also being made aware that some persons, after they have converted and the result […]
The exposure of healthcare workers continues to be a concern for the Ministry of Health, notwithstanding efforts being made to safeguard their wellbeing on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19. Director of Health Services, Dr. Marvin Manzanero reiterates the commitment made by Chief Executive Officer Doctor George Gough on August twenty-eighth. Dr. Marvin […]
During today’s Ask the Experts, Doctor Marvin Manzanero was asked about Belize’s epidemic curve. Here’s what he had to say about the progression of COVID-19 in country. Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services “When will Belize’s EPI curve peak? That’s a very good question. I am assuming you are talking about the current […]
Director of Health Services Doctor Marvin Manzanero also shared an update on the COVID-19 tests that Belize is monitoring at this time. He says that at this time the Abbott Test appears to be a viable option but access may be a problem if it is eventually mass produced and cleared for testing. Dr. […]
A number of business places have had to undertake sanitization when staff have tested positive to the corona virus. Other establishments have carried out the exercise to mitigate risks. This week, the Works Department of City Hall had to be disinfected because there was exposure to COVID-19. Hydrogen peroxide, a powerful and disinfectant, is the […]
Due to the frenzy of the hurricane, COVID-19 took a back seat temporarily. But tonight, the number of cases is now at a whopping one thousand one hundred and one; and more are expected later tonight when the most recent results are to be released. As we have been reporting, the numbers have been growing […]
Minister Edmond Castro put on his other hat as Minister of Transport. He spoke on the issues of sanitization and crowding at bus terminals and on buses. Edmond Castro, Minister of Transport “We have passed the information that every bus operator must carry the disinfectant and sanitization mechanism for people to wash their hands; […]
It was just twenty-four hours ago – the entire country was on edge as we prepared to face Hurricane Nana. Fortunately, most of us woke up in better spirits as we all learned of Nana’s lackluster impact. With last month’s surge of COVID cases and the ongoing threat of further spread—coupled with this week’s frantic […]
The daily release of COVID results was interrupted today as authorities prepared for the storm. The most recent number of cases is one thousand and seven, which was as of Tuesday. Btu we can confirm tonight, that an employee of the Orange Walk Town Council tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. The female employee works […]
While Belize is in the midst of a pandemic, it is now preparing to brace for a category one hurricane. Tonight the National Met Service is advising the country to take all necessary precautions and activate your storm plans. Deputy Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon says that while it is important that you don’t panic, you […]
There are forty-three new COVID-19 cases out of three hundred and seventeen samples processed. In the daily infographic provided by the Ministry of Health, it shows that the forty-three cases were spread out over four districts; five cases in Cayo; six in Belize; ten in Corozal and the largest batch is in Orange Walk where […]
In Belize City, concerns are being raised tonight about the wellbeing of the staff at the Treasury Department where a second case of COVID-19 has been confirmed. News Five understands that last Thursday a female employee complained of feeling ill after exhibiting symptoms that were consistent with coronavirus. She reportedly excused herself from work that […]
And on Queen Street in Belize City, the Vital Statistics Unit today was sanitized. The Attorney General’s Ministry informed this morning that the Unit is temporarily closed and services have been suspended for the sanitization of the office as we saw today. Two men donning P.P.E.s, facemasks, gloves, and equipped with disinfecting solutions entered the […]
A family member of a City Council Traffic Department employee died over the past weekend due to COVID-19. Tonight the virus threatens City Hall again as another family member of an employee has tested positive. Consequently, the Belize City Council’s Works Department of the George Price Highway was sanitized today. The council contracted the services […]
Belize’s COVID-19 cases have jumped dramatically the one thousand mark. To close the month of August, =the number of confirmed cases stands at one thousand and seven, which means cases have soared in the last month. The highest number of cases in a single day was this past Saturday; ninety-four positive cases were identified, while […]
Over the weekend, a thirteenth patient died from COVID-19 related complications. DHS Doctor Marvin Manzanero says that the Belize City resident was intubated for more than two weeks at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital before she died. She is the mother of a City Council employee of the Traffic Department. As you know, the council […]
Last week Friday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced that Belize will be using the Abbot Rapid Test which will be rolled out for the P.G.I.A. reopening on October first. Today, we asked DHS Manzanero for some clarification on how those tests will be administered – and if it can eventually be used for mass testing […]
Turning to COVID-19…the frustrations shared by many who have had to be swabbed and tested for COVID-19 include the lengthy waiting time for results to be made available. With the sudden increase in cases and a singular testing facility in the country, there has been a growing backlog of pending results. The accumulation of tests […]
The use of rapid tests has up until now proven fairly unreliable, despite the quick turnaround time for results to be made known. Consequently, the Ministry of Health has relied primarily on PCR tests which are more accurate. The constant complaint of delayed results, sometimes times as much as five days, has forced government to […]
On Thursday, the United States announced that Abbott Laboratories has commenced trials for its rapid coronavirus test to determine whether it could effectively be used on asymptomatic people. This followed an emergency approval from the Food and Drug Administration for a COVID antigen test which it says will sell for five U.S. dollars and can […]
As to the patients, three are on ventilators at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. A doctor from the Cayo District, the ministry’s epidemiologist from the Western Health Region, is intubated at the K.H.M.H. He was admitted at the K.H.M.H. twenty-four hours before being placed on a ventilator. According to Doctor Manzanero, thirty-six healthcare workers are […]
The twelfth person to die from COVID-19 was a man from the Mennonite community in Indian Creek Village, Orange Walk. Sixty-year-old David Wall began to experience breathing problems before he was transported to a private facility in Belize City. His breathing problems worsened and he died on Thursday. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 posthumously, but he […]
