Out of two hundred and seventy-two samples that were processed on Thursday, forty-one positive cases were identified. This brings the total of confirmed COVID-19 cases to all time high of six hundred and forty-eight, with six hundred actives cases. San Pedro Ambergris Caye remains the area with the highest number of positive cases. Fifteen new […]
Even though new measures are being imposed due to the number of cases, as a cock-eyed optimist, Prime Minister Dean Barrow today pointed out that the number of COVID-19 cases has been declining in terms of percentage. Barrow says that he doesn’t think that the public should be as worried as the total numbers suggest, […]
Five more patients have recovered from the coronavirus, which brings the total of recovered patients to forty-three. A sixth person has now been deemed to have died due to COVID-19 and, according to Doctor Marvin Manzanero, three persons remain intubated at the K.H.M.H. Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services “At Karl Heusner we […]
At today’s press conference, Director of Health Services Doctor Marvin Manzanero explained that two platforms are being used for testing, the gene expert and PCR testing. He explained that the gene expert is for patients who are in a critical condition. Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services “We are doing two basic platforms […]
Prime Minister Dean Barrow confirmed today that there is a backlog of samples waiting to be tested. He says that if the situation worsens, consideration will be given for private businesses to conduct rapid testing. This will be discussed at the National Oversight Committee meeting and cabinet next week. Prime Minister Dean Barrow “One […]
While the Philip Goldson International Airport remains closed to international tourists, it was bustling with activities today. Just after eleven, one hundred Belizeans came in on a repatriation flight. After they exited the P.G.I.A., they boarded buses that carted them off to quarantine centres; images suggest that there was no social distancing. During the press […]
There is anxiety at the Dorothy Menzies Child Care Centre tonight as they await results of a batch of tests taken from children at the institution. One teenager has tested positive and eight others have been placed in isolation after exhibiting symptoms of the coronavirus. There are twenty-three resident children and so there is a […]
The Belize Defense Force says that its five COVID-19 positive members are progressing well. According to Brigadier General Steven Ortega, it remains unclear where the first soldier, who tested positive, contracted the virus. They have ruled out, however, the possibility that they were exposed while on duty. As a result, B.D.F. Commander Ortega says that […]
There is a most alarming situation at the Dorothy Menzies Child Care Center which houses children on Saint Thomas Street where there is a potential of a spread of the coronavirus. One out of the twenty-three resident children at the institution has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, while seven others were taken for medical […]
Turning to the latest COVID numbers, fifty-two new positive cases were identified today. The infographic shared by the Ministry of Health shows that a total of two hundred and sixty-three samples were processed of which fifty-two returned positive. Three of the cases are in the Corozal District, while the Cayo District recorded five more cases. […]
One of the new COVID victims is a frontline worker, Doctor Rahleel Elijio from the B.D.F., where a number of soldiers have also been infected. Doctor Elijio revealed he tested positive via Facebook, saying he is not ashamed of his status. Elijio says that, as a doctor, it is his duty to heal and do […]
Seventy-four-year-old Iris Barillas was buried on Wednesday afternoon after becoming the fifth casualty of COVID-19 in Belize. She was also the first woman who has died of the deadly virus. Barillas’ husband, who visited the Belmopan Medical Center along with her, has also contracted the disease and has been battling its debilitating effects. Sadly, he […]
The safe handling and disposal of COVID-19 corpse involves a string of procedures. While there is no scientific evidence that proves that a COVID-19 corpse is still infectious, there are strict protocols being followed on how to deal with a COVID-19 positive or suspected positive corpse. Today the Ministry of Health outlined these guidelines for […]
Today, during the Ask the Experts webcast, John Bodden explained that they are updating the procedures to provide additional guidance for the families who may experience a COVID-19 related death. These guidelines, according to Bodden, are to help reduce the spread in settings where families of ten may gather. It is expected that the public […]
The Marroquin family of Blue Creek Village has been quarantined for as long as forty-three days at the Orange Walk Multi Purpose Complex. Persons who are not positive are released fourteen days after, but others who are positive will remain for a longer period. At the multi-purpose, there are about twenty-five other persons, some who […]
A revision of quarantine practices and protocols for repatriated persons got underway on Wednesday by Ministry of Health officials. The process has changed several times. Initially, repatriates were swabbed upon entry into the country and then a subsequent test was done after fourteen days of mandatory quarantine. Based on the evolving situation and the surge […]
A number of employees from the Belmopan City Council have been sent home to self-isolate as a result of a COVID-19 threat. While at this point, there is no positive case among the staff, as a measure of precautionary measure to protect its employees and staff, sent staff members home to isolate. According to Mayor […]
The recent spike in cases of COVID-19 detected in Belize means that hundreds of Belizeans who tested positive are now confined at home for self-isolation. Health officials should provide guidelines as to how to care for a COVID positive person in your home. For those who still have questions about at-home care, we have some […]
Early this morning, an elderly woman succumbed to the coronavirus at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Seventy-two-year-old Iris Rose Barillas is the first female locally not to survive the virus. She slipped in and out of coma at the K.H.M.H. and caved in today. Barrillas is believed to have been infected at a private facility […]
Late this evening, News Five spoke with Iris Barillas’ caregiver and family friend. She explained how it came about that Barillas and her husband ended up at the Belmopan Medical Center where staff members have been tested positive for the virus. According to Jones, the elderly couple was taken to the facility by her adopted […]
So a fifth person, who is an elderly female, has died due to the coronavirus. But there were reports this morning that a sixth person had succumbed overnight. In speaking on the death of Iris Barillas, DHS Doctor Manzanero confirms that the death of the purported sixth person was not due to COVID-related complications. […]
A record number of positive cases of COVID-19 was confirmed overnight putting the number of positive cases for the country at an alarming five hundred and fifty-three. Stann Creek District recorded an extra case, while Corozal went up by seven. There were a total of fifteen new cases in the Cayo District, eight of which […]
Well-known mental health therapist Jennifer Lovell has tested positive for COVID-19 after being exposed to the virus during a workshop that she was administering on the sixth of August. Lovell, who is a regular on Channel Five’s Open Your Eyes, says that she was informed of her status on Tuesday night after several days of […]
According to Lovell, she began experiencing flu-like symptoms, as well as other signs of COVID-19 in the days following her exposure. She describes her battle with the disease so far. Isani Cayetano “How are you feeling and what symptoms, if any, are you exhibiting at the moment?” On the Phone: Jenny Lovell, COVID-19 […]
Law enforcement officers here in Belize for months have been having difficulties in successfully securing the porous border to the west and north. Scores of borders jumpers have been caught, arrested, and quarantined. These persons are often contrabandistas to bring in contraband goods primarily from Mexico to retail on this side. But there have been […]
