Belize confirms its first COVID-19 case

By Glenn Tillett

Belize has recorded its first confirmed case of COVID-19, Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced at a press conference this morning.

The patient is a Belizean woman who returned to the country last Thursday.

Public health units have started mapping the woman’s movements since returning to Belize from Los Angeles.

Director of Health Services Dr. Marvin Manzanero told journalists that the woman, who had been in isolation for the past several days, had been examined by a doctor, and the initial test confirmed the presence of the coronavirus.

Asked “if was true that [the woman] had attended a party of 65 persons,” Manzanero said he did not know that to be true.

He said that they will examine the manifest of the flight on which the woman came to Belize, and she has been interviewed as to her movements and who she’s interacted with since landing in Belize.

On Friday it was announced that Belize would be closing its borders today, except for emergencies and cargo vessels.

The DHS said that protective equipment and ventilators already ordered were scheduled to arrive within the next few days, and another donation of test kits from WHO would be arriving today.

A contingent of 62 Cuban doctors, nurses and other medical personnel are to arrive in the country on Wednesday and Thursday via 2 chartered flights. (GT/DB)