BELIZE CITY, Thurs. May 27, 2021– As the country and world near the end of epi-week 29, the Covid-19 pandemic continues to devastate nations across the globe. The World Health Organization reported that the number of global cases fell by 14% from what it was last week, but the number of infections will remain high overall.
This week WHO held the 74th annual World Health Assembly, at which Belize’s Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Michel Chebat, delivered an address:
Minister Chebat stated during his address, “Belize’s economic stability, which is heavily dependent on tourism, will take many years, just as other small nations and islands. Now, more than ever, the call for unity, support, and comradery between all nations is indispensable to safeguard future generations. The advent of these new and emerging infectious diseases has underscored the lack of preparation for global health emergencies. The pandemic has brought into focus once again the significance of the international health regulations and the importance of a collaborative effort and strategy to protect all humanity.”
He added, “The response to global public health emergencies must also address the bullying and intimidation from Western countries toward small developing countries that have faced multiple hurdles in acquiring essential medical equipment and medical supplies from the start of the pandemic. The same is now occurring with the unequal distribution of vaccines and prioritization in preference for developed countries.”
Data released by the Ministry of Health and Wellness on May 27, 2021, indicated that there have been a total of 12,789 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic in Belize. A total of 131,709 tests have been done in the country since then. To date, a total of 12,376 persons have officially recovered from the virus — a recovery rate of 96.8%. A total of 323 fatalities have been recorded.
At this time a total of 78 active cases of the virus are within the country.
Five new cases were found from a batch of 538 tests processed today, May 27. A total of 5 additional recoveries were recorded, and three persons were hospitalized, 1 of whom needed intensive care. No new COVID-19-related deaths were logged.
On May 26, of the 646 tests processed, a total of 7 new cases were logged. Also, 5 recoveries were recorded and two persons were hospitalized. No additional deaths due to the virus were recorded.
On that day, a team from the Ministry of Health went to the southern part of the country and vaccinated residents in the Maya Center area. A total of 10,634 persons in the country have been fully vaccinated as of Tuesday, May 25, with approximately 61,282 persons receiving at least 1 dose of the vaccine. On May 26, an additional 1,163 persons were vaccinated.
Over the long weekend, from May 22 to 25, a total of 1,916 tests were processed and 13 new cases were found, a four-day positivity rate of 0.63%. Eight additional recoveries were recorded and 1 person was hospitalized at the time.
And on Friday, May 21, three new cases were found from a batch of 666 tests processed. Nine recoveries were recorded and 3 active hospitalizations were logged. None of the three hospitalized persons needed intensive care.
Globally, the number of cases of “black fungus’ in India has surpassed 10,000, and it is being detected in more recovered Covid-19 patients in that country. The US hit a vaccination milestone recently, with the CDC reporting that at least half the adult population is fully vaccinated. Also, Moderna, one vaccine producer, says that its inoculation is safe and seems to be effective in immunizing adolescents.
Globally, a total of 168,040,871 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been recorded by the WHO, with 3,494,758 deaths being recorded. As of 26 May 2021, a total of 1,545,967,545 vaccine doses have been administered globally.