BELIZE CITY, Wed. Nov. 16, 2020– Three members of the two major political parties have tested positive for the coronavirus following the 2020 general elections. Mike Espat and Jorge Espat of the PUP both tested positive over the weekend. Former Belmopan area representative John Saldivar also tested positive after the general elections.
Many in the public predicted that the general elections would be a “super spreader” event, and recent infographics from the Office of the Director of Health Services (DHS) are currently recording an increased number of positive cases and deaths since the elections.
Mike Espat, the elected area representative for Toledo East and the appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment, tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, November 14.
Reports are that he had to be hospitalized due to respiratory problems, and he was placed on supplemental oxygen.
The new area representative for Cayo West, Jorge “Milin” Espat, also tested positive for the coronavirus over the weekend. On Sunday, Espat posted the following comment on social media: “I was feeling feverish and was swabbed and found that I am positive for COVID-19. Due to this, I lament that I will not be able to attend to your needs at this moment.”
In the message to his constituency, he said that his office would be closed until he fully recovers from the virus.