Health

On the occasion of Malaria Day in the Americas 2020, and in keeping with this consolidated effort by the global malaria community to highlight the reported successes and the remaining challenges in malaria today, the region of the Americas is adapting the same theme used for the commemoration of World Malaria Day 2020: “Zero malaria starts with me.”

Despite now having the lowest number of active COVID-19 cases in Belize, Ambergris Caye is being asked to remain vigilant and avoid another spike.

The United Nations through the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund handed over 30,000 sets of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), 150 test kits, and various essential health commodities to the Ministry of Health (MOH) to support the Government of Belize to curb the spread of COVID-19. The total value of equipment and supplies is estimated at USD $118,000.00. The United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO), the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) handed over the items to the Director of Health Services, Dr. Marvin Manzanero; Principal Public Health Inspector, John Bodden; and HECOPAB Technical Advisor, Kathleen Azueta-Cho, on behalf of the Ministry of Health.

There was an initial desktop review of surveillance, containment measures, and random testing across the prison on October 27, 2020. This has resulted in 190 samples being processed with the SD Biosensor rapid antigen tests and 90 samples being reactive for COVID-19.

For the past four months, the European Union (EU) and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) have been supporting the COVID-19 response in Belize. The reorientation of funds from the “Health Sector Support Programme Belize” project is enhancing the Ministry of Health’s capacity to conduct decentralized COVID-19 testing, improving infection prevention and control, and supporting the delivery of health services at the community level. As a result, hundreds of posters have been printed and distributed, radio and television campaigns are airing, and two autoclaves are being procured for medical waste management.

For their 45th anniversary, the San Pedro Lions Club decided to distribute face masks to help islanders work toward preventing the spread of COVID-19. Also taking over the presidency is Lion Marina Kay.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there have more than 40 million cases and more than one million deaths around the world. The virus has had an enormous impact on global politics, employment, economics, trade and financial systems, and significantly impacted the global efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

Once the epicenter of Belize, Ambergris Caye is now at only 36 active COVID-19 cases, and Orange Walk District leads with 401 active cases out of 1,024.