A state of emergency, amid the coronavirus crisis, remains in effect for the entire country of Belize. The police are expected to enforce the law but tonight, many are questioning the scope of authority given to law enforcement during this time. That’s because a very revolting and graphic video is in circulation which shows a […]
Late this evening, the People’s United Party issued a statement in respect of the graphic video about which the complainant spoke at the top of the news. The P.U.P. says it has few words sufficient to describe its revulsion and outrage at the images. The P.U.P. continues that such abuse of citizens will never be […]
The Ministry of Health conducted thirty-five tests on Monday, all of which resulted negative for the COVID-19 virus. So far, three hundred and three persons have been screened and thirty-one are under investigation. The number of confirmed cases remains at seven, including now deceased Hubert Pipersburgh, known as patient four. Mapping of persons he came […]
According to Doctor Marvin Manzanero, while patient seven is hospitalized at the K.H.M.H., he is doing well. Patient one and two are recovering in San Pedro Town and are expected to be swabbed today. Dr. Manzanero says that patient three should be swabbed by early next week, at the latest. This is to determine if […]
The Ministry of Health says that it will step up its COVID-19 testing. Director of Health Services, Doctor Marvin Manzanero says that they are expanding their screening efforts as they cover the mapping exercise of the latest COVID-19 patients. He noted that those who are tested will be re-tested to ensure that they are negative […]
There are many questions on people’s minds. Are there enough ventilators, personal protective gears or test kits? As you’ve heard and seen, the pandemic is always evolving and so is a country’s preparedness. So, to step up its preparedness plan, the Ministry of Health says that they have been buying the equipment and supplies needed, […]
Of the seven confirmed cases, the Cayo District accounts for three COVID-19 infections, including one deceased person. So at eight tonight, that district goes on lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus. It means that travel to and from the district will be restricted to essential services. News Five’s Isani Cayetano looks at what […]
Mayors across the country are facing financial problems created by the impact of the COVID-19. Like businesses, councils are not able to conduct business and collect revenues. The entire Cayo District has been placed under enhanced quarantine measures and Mayor of Santa Elena/San Ignacio, Earl Trapp says that his council will not be able to […]
The impact on the economy resulting from the virus is being felt across the country; in fact, one indicator is the number of persons who are jobless and applying for unemployment assistance. That number is up to forty-four thousand, and continues to increase as more businesses bring down their shutters. Today, the Belize Bank issued […]
On Monday we reported on the death of fifty-five-year-old Hubert Pipersburgh, the Economic Advisor to the Belize City Council, who died as a result of complications related to the COVID-19. As we’ve shared, Pipersburgh’s wife Maria Estella Recinos shared how she desperately tried to medical attention for Pipersburgh. She gave a timeline to provide the […]
COVID-19, that’s what the Belize Medical and Dentist Association said today. On Monday the association sent out a release sharing the concerns of doctors, nurses and other medical staff on the frontline. Those concerns include the quality and accessibility to personal protective gears; adequate trainings, as well testing of medical workers for COVID-19. Today, we […]
In our interview with Doctor Atanacio Cobb, he shared that the problem appears to be a lack of communication from top managers to clinicians and other workers on the ground. He says that many junior frontline workers fear to speak out because of victimization. Doctor Cobb called on the medical authorities to address these issues […]
Patient Six remains in self-isolation in his home in San Ignacio Town. The middle-aged male is believed to have contracted COVID-19 from patient four, Hubert Pipersburgh, who died from the virus on Sunday. Patient six would travel with Pipersburgh from San Ignacio to Belize City regularly and says that he did not show the regular […]
To defeat the COVID-19 Prime Minister Dean Barrow says that the public’s full cooperation is needed. Doctor Marvin Manzanero’s team will be boosted by health professionals from the private sector while Prime Minister Dean Barrow is asking Belizeans to be confident in the health professional as the battle against COVID-19 just begins. PM Barrow pledges […]
Sixty more persons were arrested on Monday night for breaking the rules declared under the State of Emergency Powers Regulations. According to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, thirty-nine persons were arrested for being unable to provide a reason for movement outside of the curfew period which is between five a.m. and eight p.m. Nineteen persons […]
Police are under scrutiny for the way some have been conducting arrests during the state of emergency. One resident told News Five outside the courthouse on Monday that he was on his way to the mechanic shop when he was picked up by the police and charged. When he appeared before the magistrate, he pleaded […]
A police officer has been charged for the tragic death of Dangriga resident Giovanni Villafranco. Corporal Elton Alexander Elijio is charged with manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, negligent grievous harm, and failure to provide specimen. He was arraigned in a Dangriga Magistrate court where he pleaded not guilty. He was granted bail of ten […]
Madam Justice Michelle Arana is the first woman in Belizean history to hold over as presiding judge of the Supreme Court. This morning, at Government House in Belmopan, she was sworn in as Acting Chief Justice by Governor General Sir Colville Young. The most senior judge on the bench is Justice Arana and she formally […]
One more issue from Ask the Experts. To wear a mask or not to a wear a mask – it’s the question that’s on most people’s mind at some point during this COVID-19 pandemic. The research and advice on the issue is still developing – where some recognized institutions abroad are not promoting the use […]
Even though several officers are under fire for questionable and deplorable behaviour during the state of emergency and curfew, there are others who are holding their own as frontline persons on the ground. The health and safety of the thousands of police officers is being addressed by top cop Chester Williams. The ComPol say that […]
In Belize City, one of the efforts to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus involves the vulnerable homeless population. A number of agencies are collaborating and have picked up and placed homeless individuals at the MCC Grounds, where aside from shelter, they are provided with three meals a day. So far, the plan is […]
There is a large group of Belizeans living in the US which has become the epicenter for the novel coronavirus. Belizeans now wishing to return home are not able to do so because the borders here have been closed. Belizean-American Cherilyn Godfrey Brown resides in New York and members of her family, including her husband, […]
