Government
Three villages in the Toledo District placed on lockdown after an increase in COVID-19 cases
Due to the alarming spike in COVID-19 cases in three rural communities in the Toledo District of southern Belize, the government implemented a lockdown for the villages of Conejo, Midway, and Barranco for the next two weeks. The lockdown started on Friday, July 2nd, and a curfew from 8PM to 4:59AM will be enforced. During these two weeks, the government will assist the villagers.
Health
The BTB and MOHW Launch Joint Vaccination Awareness Campaign
The campaign runs until August 31, 2021 and aims to promote the key messages that the vaccine is safe, effective, free of cost and that the process of being vaccinated is very easy. To accomplish this, the campaign will be comprised of interviews with key persons on the importance of vaccinations, down-to-earth videos encouraging Belizeans to get vaccinated, media rounds, WhatsApp messages, Social Media marketing, as well as group vaccinations at various locations including San Pedro, Punta Gorda, Hopkins, Placencia and San Ignacio.
Community and Society
New COVID-19 variant detected in Belize; government introduces new regulations
The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) confirmed on Wednesday, June 30th, that a variant of the COVID-19 virus had been detected in Belize. Several samples have been sent to Baylor University in Texas, USA, to conduct gene sequencing and determine which variant is in the country. New measures to contain the sharp increase in infections were also announced and will go into effect on Sunday, July 4th.
Health
Immigration staff at PGIA test positive with COVID-19
The entire immigration staff assigned to the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) have been tested positive for COVID-19. They have since been removed and replaced with personnel from other ports of entry. Over 100 staff from other departments/areas of the airport were screened for the virus and tested negative.
Community and Society
Island COVID-19 cases on the rise; people urged to get vaccinated
The latest update on COVID-19 in San Pedro Town indicates that cases are on the rise. Over the past days, the number of infected persons has significantly increased, and as of Monday, June 28th, reliable reports indicate 14 active cases on the island, with more to be confirmed. Some of the people testing positive for the virus work in the service industry (restaurants, water taxis, tour operators, gyms), while the rest are tourists.
Health
United States Donates Ultralow Temperature Vaccine Freezer to Ministry of Health and Wellness
U.S. Embassy facilitated the delivery of an energy efficient, ultralow temperature (ULT) freezer for the storage of COVID-19 vaccines, donated by the U.S. Government through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the Ministry Health and Wellness. A handover ceremony was held on 24 June, 2021 at the National Vaccine Building in Belmopan. In attendance were Minister of Health and Wellness Michel Chebat, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Keith Gilges, and Ministry of Health and Wellness CEO Dr. Deysi Mendez.
Government
Cleopatra White Polyclinic II Dental Clinic Reopens after Renovations
On June 24, 2021, the Central Health Region Dental Department officially reopened the dental clinic at Cleopatra White Polyclinic II in Belize City.
Health
PAHO/WHO and the Government of Canada donate six High-Flow Nasal Cannula Systems and two Patient Monitors for COVID-19 response to the Karl Heusner Memorial...
As part of the country’s ongoing COVID-19 response, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the Government of Canada donated six (6) High-Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) systems and two (2) advanced Patient Monitors with carbon dioxide (CO2) and invasive blood pressure (IBP) monitoring, including accessories and consumables to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH).
