Belize's Battle Against Covid-19: A Comprehensive Overview

Belize, a small Central American country, has reported a total of 48 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of 24 July 2024, with 18 active cases, 85 recoveries, and 2 deaths. The country's first case was reported on 23 March 2020, and the government implemented various measures to control the spread of the virus, including social distancing, contact tracing, and border restrictions. Belize has also established a COVID-19 Task Force and a National Oversight Committee to manage the pandemic. Additionally, the country has removed all public health measures at points of entry as of 12 July 2022, and tourists are advised to follow enhanced health and safety protocols.

Belize's first case of COVID-19 was on March 23, 2020

On March 23, 2020, Belize reported its first case of COVID-19. The patient was a 38-year-old Belizean woman who had returned from Los Angeles, California, a few days prior to the report. She had been living in San Pedro Town and unfortunately infected her mother, who became the country's second case.

In response to this first case, a state of emergency was declared for San Pedro and Ambergris Caye, with only essential workers allowed to traverse the streets. The government also banned unauthorised vessels from leaving or arriving on the island. The Ministry of Health announced it was tracing everyone who may have been in contact with the infected woman.

The first case came just three days after the country closed its northern border to all but cargo traffic and shut down schools. The Prime Minister also banned public gatherings of more than 25 people and imposed border restrictions. All flights were grounded effective March 23, with only cargo allowed to cross the borders.

Belize had been preparing for the eventuality of COVID-19 cases since early March. On March 8, the Саrіbbеаn Рublіc Неаlth Аgеnсу (САRРНА) upgraded the country's risk of outbreak to high, and the health ministry called infections "more imminent." The prime minister said the country was "preparing for all scenarios" and had established a COVID-19 Task Force and a COVID-19 National Oversight Committee.

The government took anticipatory measures to mitigate spread

The government of Belize took anticipatory measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 before the first case was confirmed on March 23, 2020. A COVID-19 Task Force was established, co-chaired by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition Party, to implement precautionary measures. These included the closure of schools, day-care centers, and universities, as well as prohibiting entry to Belize for those travelling from countries with endemic COVID-19. Belizean nationals returning from affected areas were urged to self-quarantine for 14 days. Social gatherings were limited to 100 people, and ports of entry on the ground were closed, except for the northern border with Mexico.

Public education campaigns were conducted to emphasize the importance of proper hand-washing hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette, and the recommended use of face masks. The public was also advised to avoid overcrowded buses, and employers were instructed to be accommodating with their employees' working hours. All forms of public transportation were mandated to disinfect their vessels after each trip. As COVID-19 cases began to appear in Central America, social gatherings were further reduced from 100 to 25 people, including in supermarkets, grocery stores, restaurants, and bars.

Following the first confirmed case of COVID-19 on Ambergris Caye, the country's most populated island, a state of emergency was declared, grounding all vessels entering or leaving the island for 72 hours. Residents were encouraged to stay at home, and all bars, restaurants, casinos, clubs, and lounges were ordered to close within two days. A brigade of Cuban medical professionals specialized in disaster and pandemic response was also brought in to assist.

On March 29, 2020, when the third case was identified on the Belize mainland, a national state of emergency was declared, including a curfew from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. that restricted movement except for health emergencies. Social gatherings were limited to 10 people, and all non-essential services were closed. These measures were based on evidence from other countries and the advice of local experts, who agreed that strict physical distancing, restricted movement, quarantining, and self-isolation were key to slowing and stopping the virus's spread.

The last of the initial 18 cases was reported on April 13, 2020

Belize's first case of COVID-19 was reported on March 23, 2020. The case was that of a 38-year-old Belizean woman who had returned from Los Angeles, California, a few days before the report. She had infected her mother, who became the second case. The country's third case was reported on March 29, and the patient was a 38-year-old Belizean who had travelled to New York and returned to Belize.

By April 5, the country had recorded its fifth case—a Belizean student returning from Florida. All borders were closed except for emergency travel. The sixth and seventh cases were confirmed on April 6, and the first death was reported. The Prime Minister issued a shutdown order for the Cayo District to go into effect on April 7.

On April 8, the eighth case was confirmed, and the ninth and tenth cases were reported on April 9. The second COVID-19 death was reported on April 10. Two more cases were confirmed on April 11, and the fourteenth case was reported on April 12.

On April 13, 2020, four new cases were reported: one in San Ignacio and three in Belize City. This brought the total number of initial domestic cases to eighteen. Of these, two people died (on April 4 and April 10), and the last of the remaining twelve cases recovered by May 5.

Mandatory mask-wearing in public may have helped prevent spread

As of March 2020, Belize was the last remaining country on the American continent without any reported cases of COVID-19. By March 23, Belize had reported its first case of the virus. While it is difficult to determine the exact reasons for the delayed outbreak in Belize, it is possible that mandatory mask-wearing in public may have played a role in preventing the spread of the virus.

The effectiveness of mask-wearing in preventing the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, has been well-documented. Face masks, particularly those with multiple layers of fabric, act as barriers to contain respiratory droplets that may be released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. By consistently and properly wearing a well-fitting mask that covers the nose and mouth, individuals can significantly reduce the transmission of the virus.

In an interview with CBS News, Linsey Marr, a Virginia Tech university professor specializing in aerosol science, emphasized the importance of mask-wearing in reducing the chances of contracting COVID-19. She explained that masks work as filters, forcing virus particles to weave through the layers of fibers and increasing the likelihood of becoming trapped. This is similar to navigating through a forest of trees, where moving at a slower speed makes it easier to avoid obstacles.

Research has also dispelled the concern that wearing a mask might lead to infection through touching contaminated surfaces. Studies have shown that even if some viral particles remain on cloth masks, they are not transferred to the skin in amounts sufficient to cause infection. Overall, the combination of mandatory mask-wearing and other preventive measures implemented by the Belizean government may have contributed to delaying the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.

While mandatory mask-wearing in public may have helped prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Belize, it is important to note that masks are just one part of a comprehensive approach to controlling the virus. Other preventive measures, such as social distancing, hand washing, respiratory etiquette, and avoiding contact with infected individuals, are also crucial components of an effective strategy. By combining multiple strategies, Belize and other countries can better protect their citizens and slow the spread of the virus.

Belize's vaccination plan consists of five phases

Belize was the last country in the Americas to report a case of COVID-19, with its first case being announced on 23 March 2020. The country has since experienced several waves of the virus, with a total of 296 confirmed cases as of 12 August 2020. The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 in Belize has been much lower than that of SARS in 2003, but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.

• The first phase includes healthcare workers, elderly individuals aged 60 years and above, persons with diverse abilities, National Assembly members, and the Judiciary.
• The second phase covers police officers, customs officers, immigration officers, tourism workers, teachers, transport workers, and prison guards.
• Phase three comprises the Belize Defense Force, coast guard, firemen, and utility workers.
• The fourth phase includes all other public officers.
• The final phase is for all remaining adults.

Belize offers four vaccines: Pfizer/Biontech, Johnson & Johnson, Oxford/Astra Zeneca, and Sinopharm. The country has received donations of vaccines from the United States, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates. The Ministry of Health and Wellness advises that even after getting vaccinated, individuals should continue wearing face masks in public, maintain physical distancing, avoid social gatherings, and practice good hand hygiene.

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