Government
Taiwan Donates COVID-19 Antibody Rapid Test Kits to Belize
These test kits are developed by Taiwan’s Excelsior Bio-System Incorporation and can deliver reliable results in just 10 to 15 minutes with 100 percent sensitivity and 95 percent specificity. These kits can be used to screen potential carriers of the virus who were infected more than seven days prior to testing. This medical assistance will help strengthen the capacity of the Government of Belize to ensure a smooth and safe re-opening of the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport scheduled for August 15, 2020.
Health
Hospital for Ambergris Caye on hold says Prime Minister Dean Barrow
PM Barrow claims that talks were underway to secure funding to refurbish a former tourism property into a hospital, but COVID-19 happened.
Health
Dengue cases in the Americas top 1.6 million, highlighting need for mosquito control during COVID-19 pandemic
More than 1.6 million cases of dengue have been reported in the Americas in the first five months of 2020, drawing attention to the need to continue eliminating mosquito vectors of disease even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health
Haze blankets Belize as Saharan Dust arrives
The Saharan dust plume covers the Caribbean region, is considered a carrier of fungi, bacteria, and other contaminants, and is expected to remain through next week.
Government
UNDP and the Global Fund support national efforts through medical supplies and equipment for Covid19 to the Ministry of Health and a vehicle for...
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Belize in the framework of the Global Fund project titled “Building Resilience Through Innovation and National Accountability for the HIV and TB Response in Belize” is handing over essential items to support the Ministry of Health in the ongoing COVID-19 response. The testing equipment and ventilator is being handed over to the Ministry of Health and the vehicle is being handed over to the CSO Hub to support outreach to vulnerable populations
Business & Economy
Belizean repatriation: What is the process and where do they go?
Out of 806 applications submitted online for repatriation, 515 have been approved, 318 approval emails sent out, and only 154 have made it back to Belize.
Health
Taiwan Donates Medical Equipment to Belize as the Fight against COVID-19 Continues
As the world is still struggling with the severe repercussions of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan continues to demonstrate its good will and friendship to the Belizean people by donating 200,000 surgical masks, 10,000 N-95 Masks, 500 infrared forehead thermometers, 2,000 protective clothing, 4,000 isolation gowns, 2 automatic nucleic acid (PCR) analyzers, 720 PCR testing kits, and 10,000 nasal swabs to support the Government of Belize in its endeavors to contain COVID-19. This donation is valued at BZ$1 million.
Environment
Mosquito situation on the island prompts residents to consider aerial spraying of malathion
Some island residents are pitching the idea of spraying malathion aerially to ensure the current mosquito situation doesn't worsen. There has been no response from relevant health authorities regarding this suggestion.