BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Oct. 8, 2020– The UDP standard bearer for Corozal Southeast, Tony Herrera, recently came off the campaign trail and has gone into isolation after testing positive for COVID-19.
His wife, who has a pre-existing lung condition, has also been infected and is hospitalized at this time.
Reports are that Herrera believes he contracted the virus while campaigning, possibly while sharing meals that were offered to him by his constituents. According to local media, Herrera is reported to have only mild symptoms at this time.
Leader-elect of the United Democratic Party, Patrick Faber, said that Herrera’s positive diagnosis has “put a damper on the campaign,” but he thinks that the Corozal Southeast constituency is a division that they can win.
However, a win in Corozal Southeast would be quite an accomplishment for the UDP, since the division has been held by the PUP since 1984, first by Florencio Marin, Sr., and then by his son, Florencio Marin, Jr. It is undoubtedly a PUP stronghold.
Faber, in an interview with local media, said, “I sent a message out to all of my candidates earlier this week when Tony messaged to say he was positive. We have to be careful. It does add a damper on the campaign.” He added, “Tony has a very good chance of winning.”
Tony Herrera won the Corozal Southeast constituency UDP convention back in November of 2018 against Narciso Flores to become standard bearer for that division. He goes up against long-time area representative, Florencio Marin, Jr.
Faber hopes that Herrera will make a full recovery by Nomination Day and that he’ll be able to continue his campaign after that time.