BELMOPAN. Thurs. Feb. 25th, 2021– The Ministry of Health and Wellness announced late Thursday evening that 15 samples processed for gene sequencing by Baylor College in Houston, Texas were returned to the country. One sample was classified as the UK variant.
The release stated, “The U.K. variant was identified in a man who entered Belize on January 12, 2021, as a member of the British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB). He was asymptomatic on arrival. “
The release outlined that all troops must bring a negative PCR test within 72 hours of entering the country. It shared that they must also undergo swabbing on their first day in the country. They are also mandated to remain in quarantine until getting the result according to the Ministry.
“Exercise troops must remain in complete quarantine until results are received. This process was precisely followed for the above case. The individual was isolated immediately and remained in isolation for 11 days. He was retested which yielded a negative result. At that time, he joined his battalion to continue with jungle training. “the release stated.
The release outlined that an additional 40 swabs will be reported on in the near future.
The Ministry shared that all arrivals to the country must come with a negative PCR or rapid test or be subjected to testing upon arrival. A new variant was also recently found in New York City.