The World Health Organization has stressed that while the pandemic is changing, it is not over yet.  

By Khaila Gentle

BELIZE CITY, Thurs, June 30, 2022

The Ministry of Health & Wellness’ COVID-19 data for Thursday, June 30 , indicated that a total of 223 new cases of the virus had been detected, bringing the total number of active cases to 1,011, and a daily positivity rate of 18.8%.

Of the almost two hundred new cases, 55 were identified in the Belize District (including 4 in San Pedro), 52 in the Cayo District, 16 in the Toledo District, 20 in Orange Walk, 9 in Stann Creek, and 19 in Corozal.

Furthermore, with 1 newly reported death, the country’s death toll now stands at 680.

Until now, the country’s daily positivity rate had remained over 20% for most of the latter half of June, with more than 200 new cases being identified each day.

Just last week, the Director-General of the World Health Organization Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed Commonwealth Foreign Ministers at the 2022 Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2022), noting that while great progress has been made in the fight against COVID-19, the pandemic is not over as yet.

The Director-General’s words came just as several parts of the world, especially Europe and the Middle East, face surges in COVID-19 cases. And on Wednesday, The World Health Organization held a media briefing where it revealed that with the emergence of the Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5, there has been a 20% rise in global COVID-19 cases —  with cases as some 110 countries contending with surges.

Despite this, said the WHO Director-General, the global COVID-19 figure remains “relatively stable.” Dr. Ghebreyesus did warn once again though, that while the pandemic is changing, it is certainly not over. He also noted that the ability to track the genetic evolution of the virus has been threatened by relaxed surveillance and reporting measures.