Finally there is some really good COVID-19 news. The numbers are trending down. The latest statistics coming out of the Epidemiology Unit at the Ministry of Health and Wellness indicate the daily positivity rate should be back to pre-Omicron numbers as soon as mid- February. A recent graph which shows the “Projected Prevalence of COVID-19 […]
Manzanero notes that graphs are projections based on a model of the current trend. It is not an exact science, but could be pretty accurate if the daily positivity rate continues to trend downward. Other variables are the enforcement of COVID-19 regulations as well as the vaccination uptake. But, what about the curfew? Will lower […]
And while the projections are promising, COVID-19 cases could increase as a result of the land borders reopening. It is a risk that comes with people gathering and moving by the masses. But again, Manzanero explained that erring on the side of caution will mitigate those risks. Russell Manzanero, Epidemiologist, Ministry of Health & […]
There is also some good news regarding Dr. Marvin Manzanero. Over the weekend, the Minister of Health, Kevin Bernard, announced that the former Director of Health Services has accepted the new post of Director of International Cooperation. This was one of three posts in the Ministry of Health and Wellness which have been vacant for […]
Meanwhile, the deadline for applications to fill the other two posts – Director of Hospital Services and Allied Health and Director of Public Health and Wellness— closed on Monday. The Minister told us that the Ministry has received a number of applications. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness “I am very much aware […]
The current shipping challenges that have prevailed over several months have compounded an already short supply of medications brought on by the mid-2020 budget cuts that the National Health Insurance had imposed for imaging, laboratory, and pharmaceutical services. But, Minister Bernard assured today that the patients will be able to access their medications in the […]
It is day two since land borders have been reopened for Belizeans, and today a News Five team headed to the western border with Guatemala to see exactly what the procedure and traffic was looking like. We found just a small group of persons, primarily tourists who were going on one-day tours to Peten, using […]
What’s happening with the hundreds of students from neighbouring Guatemala who study in Belize? Today, a News Five team visited with Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Primary School in Benque Viejo del Carmen. About twenty percent of its student population resides in Guatemala, and pre-pandemic, they commuted daily across the border for classes. The process that […]
And, while there has not been a rush of Belizeans heading across the border yet, health and border officials do expect an influx of traveling Belizeans over the weekend. But, Dr. Gilharry says, they are prepared for the exodus. Dr. Angela Gilharry, Medical Chief of Staff, Corozal Community Hospital “Definitely at the beginning when […]
Forty-year-old Glendford Soberanis was arrested and charged on Monday, following an armed attack on Antelope Street Extension over the weekend. On Saturday evening, a volley of shots was fired, injuring five persons, including two women. It is reported that the gunman targeted Robert Lamb and in the process injured several bystanders. Soberanis subsequently appeared before […]
An extraordinary general meeting is being requested by members of the Cycling Federation of Belize in an attempt to elect a new executive. This afternoon, Tariq Cano and Alexi Ordonez, having tendered a copy of the requisition to the National Sports Council, convened a brief question and answer session with the media. According to Cano, […]
Running for vice president on Cano’s ticket is Alexi Ordonez. Despite trying to revive interest in the sport, Ordonez says that much more can be done to meet the needs of cyclists at all levels of riding. Alexi Ordonez, Vice Presidential Candidate “If you notice, Cano said five years, but almost for the past, […]
An aquaculture workshop was held Monday at the Tilapia Hatchery Center in Central Farm for shrimp famers. Aqua experts Grant Stentiford and Matthew Sanders from the United Kingdom facilitated. The pair is in Belize along with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquatic Science (C.E.F.A.S.) to look at how aquaculture, fisheries, and food security can […]
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise has gotten a donation of eight hundred small beetle traps from the International Regional Organization for Agricultural Health. The traps were purchased in Australia and will help Belizean farmers who are battling the small hive beetle, a scavenger and parasite of honeybee colonies. The pest is native […]
The Belize Audubon Society is the oldest conservation organization in the country. Established in 1969, the N.G.O. has evolved to becoming one of the leading environmental groups advocating for sustainable management of Belize’s natural resources. On Sunday, the Audubon celebrated its fifty-third anniversary. While there is much to be proud of, the organization has also […]
On February sixteenth, the Belize Audubon Society will host the annual James Waight Awards Ceremony. The virtual event recognizes exemplary Belizeans in the area of conservation and environmental awareness. The first award was issued in 1987, and since then as many as thirty-four persons have received awards. Amanda Acosta, Executive Director, Belize Audubon Society […]
The President of the Caribbean Development Bank is on his inaugural visit to Belize. On Monday, Dr. Gene Leon met with Christopher Coye, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment. According to the Government of Belize Press Office, Minister Coye welcomed the C.D.B. team and President Leon underscored the C.D.B.’s […]
It started with the Belizean T-shirts he made for himself, but now a Belizean student studying in Taiwan is producing items for other international students with their country flags and colors. Twenty- three year old Josh Petillo from Punta Gorda is balancing his engineering studies with his entrepreneurship. His plan is to make his small […]
