Caye Caulker Faced with First COVID-19 Case

A total of 144 samples have been processed throughout the day. There is a total of 23 new positive cases with a preliminary breakdown as follows:

– 1 case in Caye Caulker (with no apparent link to any previously identified case for now)

– 12 news cases in San Pedro

– 3 cases in Belmopan (2 are linked to the previous identified positive case in Belmopan and the other case is linked to San Pedro)

– 2 cases in Orange Walk (1 from Santa Marta and 1 from Orange Walk Town linked to a previously identified case)

– 5 cases in Belize City (1 case with no apparent link to any previously identified cases, 4 others linked to previously identified cases)

Word from Caye Caulker is that the community is in shock and high anxiety with this first case which residents believe is linked to San Pedro, tho not confirmed. In San Pedro the Оffісеr Соmmаndіng thе Ѕаn Реdrо Роlісе Fоrmаtіоn, Ѕuреrіntеndеnt Сhrіѕ Nоblе, ехрlаіnеd thаt fіvе оffісеrѕ tеѕtеd роѕіtіvе fоr СОVІD-19 аnd аrе nоw іn quаrаntіnе. An аddіtіоnаl nіnе оffісеrѕ аrе іn ѕеlf-іѕоlаtіоn, hаvіng dіѕрlауеd flu-lіkе ѕуmрtоmѕ. Тhrее оf thе СОVІD-19 роѕіtіvе оffісеrѕ аrе ѕtіll оn thе іѕlаnd, hоwеvеr, twо оf thеm hаvе rеturnеd tо thе mаіnlаnd.

Operations of the Police Department in San Pedro are not expected to be affected with this drop in manpower. There are about 87 officers stationed on the island and mеаѕurеѕ hаvе bееn рut іn рlасе tо ѕесurе thе rеmаіnіng оffісеrѕ аt thе ѕtаtіоn, ѕuсh аѕ tеmреrаturе сhесkѕ рrіоr еntrу, аnd еnѕurіng thаt оffісеrѕ рrасtісе рrореr mаѕk-wеаrіng.

Ministry of Health Condemns Stigmatization of COVID-19 Patients

– Press Release – It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Health that many persons who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and as well as persons who may have been in contact with them are being stigmatized and discriminated physically and emotionally, including through social media platforms. The Ministry of Health recognizes that it is not only the virus that we must protect ourselves from but also fear, rumors and stigma. The psychological damage caused by stigmatization may be greater than the physical symptoms experienced by the illness and it can have an impact even after recovery from those symptoms.

The Mental Health Unit in the Ministry of Health urges the public to:

• Be supportive of those who have been diagnosed as positive.

• Do not mistreat or bully those who have been diagnosed but reassure them that they will recover.

• Inform yourself about this new disease through official local and international sources.

• Have a plan on where to go to seek help for physical and mental health and psychological support if required.

Everyone must do their part and become supportive of those who may have been affected by COVID-19.

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