BELIZE CITY, Wed. Jan. 13, 2021– It has been seven days since our last COVID-19 update. Since then, an additional 258 cases of coronavirus have been detected in Belize. Two new deaths were recorded in data presented on January 12, 2021, which means that 227 persons have so far died as a result of COVID-19 in Belize. In total, 11,366 confirmed cases are recorded. Of those cases, 10,502 recoveries have been recorded as of January 12, so 92.4% of persons in Belize who were infected with COVID-19 have recovered. Recent data is currently indicating that there are 587 cases that remain active.
On January 12, 2021, 196 tests were conducted, and a total of 34 new cases were identified. Of those new cases, 19 were found in the Belize District — 16 of which were found in Belize City. It must be noted that this apparent rise in the number of Belize City cases can be attributed to the rapid tests that were conducted in Belize City on that day. As mentioned, two new fatalities were recorded on January 12. Both persons were female. One of them was from Belize City and the other from Stann Creek. Also, on January 12, a total of 83 recoveries were recorded.
On the preceding day— Monday, January 11, 2021, one male person from Corozal passed away as a result of coronavirus complications. On that day, a total of 29 new cases were identified from a batch of 290 samples processed. Another 22 recoveries were recorded.
On Sunday, January 10, three persons — all males— passed away as a result of COVID-19. Two were residents of the Corozal District and the other was from Toledo. Also on that day, thirty-seven new cases were identified from a total of 552 tests processed, and a total of 11 cases were recorded as recoveries.
No deaths were recorded on January 9, 2021. A total of 449 tests were conducted on that day, and 64 new cases were identified across the country. Twenty-eight (28) of those new cases were found in the Belize District — 16 of which were identified in Belize City. In Cayo 14 new cases were found on that day. Also, a total of 24 recoveries were recorded.
Of the 478 tests conducted on January 8, a total of 50 new cases were identified. Four fatalities were recorded —two females and two males. One of those persons who died was from Toledo, two others were from Cayo, and the other was from Corozal. In Toledo, 13 new cases were identified. A total of 18 recoveries were recorded on that day.
On January 7, 2021, the Ministry of Health and Wellness identified 44 new coronavirus infections from a total of 491 tests conducted. Unfortunately, on this day, 7 deaths were recorded — four men and three women. Three of these persons were from Corozal, another two were from Orange Walk, and one was from Cayo and another from Toledo.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness continues a widespread campaign of rapid testing across the country, with mobile testing units being deployed across the country daily, so that the wider population can be tested. Also, healthcare facilities across the country have been equipped to conduct rapid testing at those locations.
Internationally, a new COVID-19 variant is causing widespread infections in the United Kingdom. This more contagious variant, as previously reported in this newspaper, has since spread to the United States. Recent reports are that the variant has since shown up in our neighbor country, Mexico. Reports from Reuters.com is that a 56-year-old British man who flew to Matamoros from Mexico City has tested positive for the new strain. Also, in Jamaica, the Minister of Health, Dr. Christopher Tufton, reported that four new cases of the new strain of COVID-19 were recently identified.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness continues to urge Belizean citizens to adhere to all the protocols that have been put in place to reduce the spread of this deadly virus. Members of the public are asked to follow the public health advice, and anyone who tests positive is asked to adhere to the isolation/quarantine guidelines.
If you have difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or chest pain, seek medical attention immediately.