With the recent spike in COVID-19 infections and the economy still stuttering, following the previous three-month state of emergency, is government financially able to sustain various industries, including the agro-productive sector? According to PM, the risk of his administration running out of finances to support these industries is unlikely as it continues to source funds […]
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 […]
An employee of Belize Port Authority is among several public officers to be arraigned in connection with abetting the departure of a crew of five sailors onboard the tugboat AJ Ellis, which left for Honduras on the weekend of July twenty-fifth. Vessel Traffic Officer Keeron Young was charged criminally for his alleged role in the […]
There will be no congress of the Football Federation of Belize on Saturday as was initially scheduled. As we reported on Thursday, concerns were raised by candidates who are contesting the leadership of the F.F.B. that existing regulations prohibit the gathering of more than ten persons. In this case, the congress which would see the […]
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 […]
The Belize City Council and the City Emergency Management Organization say they have a plan in place for the hurricane season which is now underway. CEMO will be working with the private sector, N.G.O.s, communities and Government, to enhance its capabilities and strengthen capacity in order to preserve life and protect property in times of […]
Today, Prime Minister Barrow responded to the cries of villagers of Guinea Grass in Orange Walk. Residents have been protesting this week for the lack of assistance from the government and the hardships brought about by the lockdown of the village. Prime Minister Barrow says the complaints are in order and the government is contemplating […]
Tropical Depression Fourteen is heading further north and away from Belize. That’s the latest coming out of the National Meteorological Service tonight. The system is expected to make landfall over the Yucatan Peninsula over the next twenty-four hours. While models show that it doesn’t present any serious threat, Belize is still expected to experience some […]
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 […]
This afternoon in the Belmopan Magistrate’s Court, a senior employee of the Big Creek Group was arraigned in connection with the illegal voyage of the tugboat, AJ Ellis. Gustavo Carillo, the company’s shipping manager, has been charged and taken before the lower court on a single count of abetment to exiting Belize illegally. The arraignment […]
The sequenced of events started on Wednesday when Robert Flowers and Deon Castillo were first to be charged criminally for the tugboat. That voyage, according to the police, was illegal under the new regulations because the vessel was supposed to travel through the Port only for commerce. Comptroller Colin Griffith was quick to deny any […]
…but what does Commissioner of Police Chester Williams have to say about the Customs Department’s comments on the charge? Williams says he stands by the charge brought against Dion Castillo and Robert Flowers. He says that the officers were responsible to ensure that the vessel’s purpose of travel was legitimate. Williams also notes that while […]
Commissioner of Police Chester Williams wants to dispel any notions that the public officers are being made scapegoats in the process. Williams says that if a minister of any other high-ranking authority instructed Dion Castillo and Robert Flowers to provide clearance for the vessel then they are to report that information to police. And since […]
The charge against Dion Castillo prompted strong words from the Comptroller Griffith. He also alleged that the police objected to bail on Wednesday. Today, Commissioner Chester Williams responded to those allegations, saying that there is nothing personal against the Customs Department and that the department was acting in accordance with the law. On the […]
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 […]
