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COVID-19 update: 658 more tests, 50 new confirmed cases

HighlightsCOVID-19 update: 658 more tests, 50 new confirmed cases

BELIZE CITY, Mon. Dec. 21, 2020– According to UK scientists, a new mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been identified in the United Kingdom. Preliminary data suggests that this variant is more contagious than previous mutations of the virus that have emerged. This new variant of the virus was first identified in Southern England by scientists who found an unusual number of infections associated with the new mutation.

This new mutation, dubbed B.1.1.7, is being studied to confirm whether, in fact, it is more contagious than the other known coronavirus variants.

Not taking any chances, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, announced new restrictions to be put in place over the holidays, and the Netherlands, Germany and some other European countries have banned travel to and from the UK.

Notably, flights are scheduled from England to Belize by at least two major airlines well into the new year. Most of these flights will connect at Houston, Texas, before taking the final leg to Belize.

While the Ministry of Tourism, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), and the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) have implemented stringent measures to screen arrivals into the country, there is still a possibility that this new variant of the virus could slip through the cracks, if it hasn’t already done so.

And while this new mutation has caused spikes in the number of cases across the UK, recent COVID-19 data compiled over the past two weeks is showing a downward trend in coronavirus infections in Belize, notwithstanding a spike which was recorded on December 3, the date after the new rapid testing protocol was instituted. We are also seeing fewer cases being reported by the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) each day.

Still, the MOHW is taking no comfort in this, and has taken steps to ensure that restrictions on movement and gatherings remain in place. They have also moved to institute new restrictions and prevention measures that can be found in SI 175 of 2020 or in a condensed form on the Government of Belize’s Facebook page. The link can be accessed at https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Summary-of-SI-175-of-2020.pdf

As of December 21, 2020, there were 1,486 active cases within the country. A total of 10,145 cases have been confirmed in Belize since the onset of the pandemic and of that number, 8,435 persons have recovered.

The death toll in Belize jumped by eleven since our last update. Countrywide, 224 deaths have been recorded —156 men and 68 women, and our case fatality rate stands at 2.21%.
On December 21, it was announced that 3 new cases were found in Corozal, 6 in Orange Walk, 12 in Belize, 25 in Cayo and 1 in Toledo. Three new cases were found in San Pedro. No new cases were found in Stann Creek on that day.

On the previous day, December 20, the results of a total of 445 tests were obtained, and 72 new cases were identified. Four deaths were recorded on that day — 2 males and 2 females, and there were a total of 30 recoveries.

In Cayo, 24 new cases were found; 20 cases were found in the Belize District, and in Corozal, 10. In Orange Walk, 6 new cases were found; 3 were found in Stann Creek, and in Toledo, 5 were recorded. Four new cases were also found in San Pedro.

A total of 94 new cases were confirmed on December 19 from a batch of 678 tests processed. One new death was recorded—a female from Cayo. Of the 94 new cases found on that day, 20 were found in the Belize District, 21 in Cayo, 18 in Orange Walk, 13 in Stann Creek, 11 in Corozal, 7 in Toledo, and 4 in San Pedro. A total of 52 recoveries were recorded

And prior to that, on December 18, 138 new confirmed cases were recorded from a batch of 867 samples. Two deaths were recorded on that day, both males — one person from Corozal and the other from Cayo.  In the Cayo District, 48 new cases were found on that day; 20 were found in the Belize and Orange Walk Districts. Nineteen new cases were found in Corozal and in Stann Creek, and in Toledo, 13 were found. Five new cases were recorded in San Pedro.

A total of 161 recoveries were also recorded.

Amandala joins the Ministry of Health and Wellness in urging all Belizean citizens to remain safe and indoors with their immediate families during this yuletide season.

The coronavirus is transmitted between people when an infected person is in close contact with another individual. Limiting movement and social interactions can prevent infected persons from transmitting this deadly virus to loved ones.

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