Ministry of Health

As more people in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, get the AstraZeneca jab against COVID-19, island health authorities report zero cases among the local population. However, two visitors/tourists are in quarantine in San Pedro after being detected with COVID-19.

As Belize continues to experience heavy rains due to the passing of Tropical Depression Eta, many residents have been experiencing flooding. It is anticipated that due to the flooding in some areas, drinking water sources may have become contaminated leaving it unsafe to drink and requiring treatment.

The National Oversight Committee (NOC) held its last meeting today, November 2nd. In their final decision, the NOC supported (in part) a request from the Banana Growers Association (BGA) for the imposition of an 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew in villages in the Banana Belt. There has been an outbreak of COVID-19 cases in that area, affecting several workers in the banana industry and banana farms. The BGA fears that without some action from Government, the transmission will spread in the villages and on the farms, forcing closures in an industry that remains an important foreign exchange earner.

The Ministry of Health hereby informs of its intention to start using antigen rapid testing for COVID-19 following established protocols. After completing a validation exercise with the SD Biosensor Antigen testing kit and following international recommendations, use of this antigen testing kit will ONLY be applicable and is recommended for persons who are: I) Symptomatic II) Close contacts of a confirmed case

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.

The Ministry of Health through the HECOPAB Unit in collaboration with the WASH Multi-sectoral Body is observing Global Handwashing Day in Belize today, October 15, 2020. This year’s theme is “Hand Hygiene for All,” and is a call to action for institutions and individuals to improve hand hygiene efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.