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by Charles Gladden BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Mar. 14,...

Covid-19 update 

HighlightsCovid-19 update 

BELIZE CITY. Thurs. Sept. 23, 2021– This past Sunday, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital released a statement in which it announced that it was nearing a critical point at which it might not be able to admit additional patients into its Covid-19 unit following the admission of seven more infected persons into the unit on Sunday. Belize City is the new epicenter of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country, and the community spread believed to be fueled by the new Delta variant rages on — resulting in an ever-increasing death toll and a rising number of cases.

Dr. Eric Bradley, the lead doctor inside the Covid-19 unit, who has since taken up residence in the hospital, is urging all persons to do their part to ease the impact this third wave is already having on our national referral hospital.

Over the weekend, a group of Cuban doctors, the second medical brigade to come to Belize since the start of the pandemic, arrived in the country. The extra hands come at a time of near-crisis in the country’s battle against the Covid-19 virus. Those doctors have been deployed across the country.

On September 22, the Ministry of Health and Wellness gave an update on the progress of the vaccination campaign within the country. They announced that a total of 107,915 persons have received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. A total of 185,766 persons have received at least one jab and 21,104 persons between the ages of 12 and 17 have at least started the inoculation process.

As mentioned, at this time, four vaccines are being used to immunize the population. Those are the AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccines. All vaccines except the Johnson and Johnson jab require two doses. The vaccines, including the J&J jab, take effect within two weeks of the final dose.

This week, Amandala sought clarification on data that was presented by Ministry of Health and Wellness officials during the Government of Belize’s press conference last Thursday, at which it updated the nation on the Covid-19 situation.

During the period from April 1 to September 13, a total of 51 unvaccinated persons who were hospitalized died as a result of the virus — constituting 82.2% of the total number of persons who were hospitalized and died of Covid-19 during that period. Also, in the period, 7 persons or 11.3% of victims had only one dose, while 4 – making up 6.5% of total deaths during that period had already received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.

At this time, a total of 1,798 actives cases of the virus are within the country, with 17,209 recoveries being logged. 399 fatalities have been reported so far. Of those persons who died, 254 are men and 145 women.

In data released today by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, a total of 244 new confirmed cases were found from a batch of 1,684 tests processed. Of the 116 cases found in the Belize District, 80 were found in Belize City. Also, a total of 144 persons were declared to be recovered. Currently, there are 30 Covid-19-related hospitalizations, with 15 of those persons needing intensive care.

The Ministry issued a two-day report on testing results received from September 21 to the 22nd due to the Independence public and bank holiday earlier this week. Those numbers indicated that, of a total of 2,829 tests that were processed, 282 new cases were confirmed — a positivity rate of 10.2%. A total of 31 persons were hospitalized, and the new infographic breakdown shows that 23 of those persons are unvaccinated. Unfortunately, of the three infected persons who passed away over that two-day period, two were fully vaccinated. A total of 314 new recoveries were also logged over that two-day period.

Of the 282 new cases found over those two days, 100 were in the Belize District, and of the 100 positive cases in Belize, 82 were found to be in Belize City.

The two vaccinated persons who died were both males from the Orange Walk District.

Over the weekend, from Saturday, September 18, to Monday, September 20, a total of 2,895 tests were processed and 371 new cases were recorded. Also, 233 recoveries were recorded on that day. A total of 25 persons were hospitalized, 7 of whom needed to be placed in an ICU. Over those days, 6 additional deaths were recorded — 3 men and 3 women. Four of the victims were from the Belize District, one from Corozal, and another from Stann Creek.

Finally, on Friday, September 17, a total of 198 new cases were identified from 1,482 tests processed. A total of 109 new recoveries were recorded and of the 26 persons admitted to the hospital on that day, there were 8 ICU admissions. No additional death was identified on that day. Of the 103 cases found in the Belize District on that day, 82 were found in Belize City.

Globally, as of 5:10 p.m. CEST, 23 September 2021, 229,858,719 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 4,713,543 deaths, have been reported to WHO. As of 23 September 2021, a total of 5,874,934,542 vaccine doses have been administered.

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