Omicron's Impact On Belize: A Country's Battle Against The Variant

As of December 2021, the Omicron variant had not yet been detected in Belize. In response to the new variant, the Belizean government amended its Public Health Act and imposed new travel restrictions. These included mandatory vaccination, testing, and a 10-day quarantine for anyone entering the country who had recently been to specific African countries.

Belize tightens travel restrictions to prevent the entry of the Omicron variant

Belize has implemented stricter travel restrictions to prevent the entry of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. The government announced these new measures on Monday, December 6, 2021, in response to the emergence of the new variant, which was first detected in South Africa.

The new regulations require anyone entering Belize by land, air, or sea who has recently travelled from the following countries to be fully vaccinated and tested upon arrival in Belize: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, or Zimbabwe. In addition, these travellers must undergo a 10-day quarantine at a government-designated facility.

These travel restrictions are in line with those imposed by other countries, which have also implemented bans against travellers from Southern African nations. However, these bans have been criticised as being knee-jerk reactions based on unfounded panic.

At the time of the announcement, the Omicron variant had not yet been detected in Belize, with the Delta variant being the dominant strain in the country. The Central Medical Lab in Belize has the equipment and expertise to carry out gene sequencing to detect the Omicron variant, thanks to a partnership with Baylor College earlier in 2021.

To further enhance their COVID-19 surveillance efforts, the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Belize is also engaged in gene sequencing at the Central Medical Lab to detect the Omicron variant as soon as it appears in the country.

Omicron variant not in Belize as of August 2022

As of August 2022, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 had not been detected in Belize. The dominant strain in the country at the time was the Delta variant. The Belizean government had implemented travel restrictions to prevent the entry of the Omicron variant, requiring travellers from specific African countries to be fully vaccinated and tested upon arrival, as well as quarantined for ten days. The Central Medical Lab in Belize was also conducting gene sequencing to detect the Omicron variant.

The Omicron variant was first detected in South Africa and was found to be more transmissible than the Delta variant. However, initial indications suggested that the symptoms were milder. Experts from the World Health Organization emphasised the need for more data on this new variant before imposing restrictive measures such as travel bans.

In response to the emergence of the Omicron variant, the Belizean government tightened travel restrictions, specifically for travellers coming from countries in Africa, including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. These travellers were required to be fully vaccinated, tested upon arrival, and quarantined for ten days at a designated location.

The Central Medical Lab in Belize played a crucial role in the detection of the Omicron variant through gene sequencing. Dr. Melissa Diaz-Musa, Deputy Regional Health Manager of the Central Health Region, explained that the lab was conducting gene sequencing on COVID-19 samples, enhancing surveillance efforts. The lab had the capacity to detect the Omicron variant, and they aimed to increase the frequency of gene sequencing to improve their monitoring.

Belize's Central Medical Lab can detect the Omicron variant

The Central Medical Lab was equipped with the necessary technology and expertise to carry out gene sequencing through a partnership with Baylor College. This partnership included donations of gene sequencing equipment and specialised training for several Belizeans.

By May 2022, the Omicron BA.2 subvariant was confirmed as the predominant COVID-19 variant in Belize, with the Central Medical Lab playing a crucial role in its detection. The lab conducted genome sequencing of positive COVID-19 swabs, which helped identify the presence and circulation of the Omicron BA.2 subvariant in the country.

The detection of the Omicron variant in Belize is a testament to the Central Medical Lab's capabilities and the effectiveness of the country's surveillance efforts. The lab's ability to identify and confirm the presence of this variant is crucial in guiding public health measures and informing the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Belize.

It is important to note that the Omicron variant has undergone several mutations, resulting in various subvariants. The BA.2 subvariant, which was predominant in Belize as of May 2022, has been associated with symptoms such as headaches, sore throat, and fever. However, other symptoms like cough, difficulty breathing, and body aches have also been reported.

Belize announces entry changes for travellers from specific African countries

On December 6, 2021, Belize announced new entry requirements for travellers in response to the emergence of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. These measures were targeted at travellers from specific African countries, namely Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Any person entering Belize by land, air, or sea who had travelled from these countries was required to be immunised and tested for COVID-19 upon arrival, in addition to undergoing a 10-day quarantine at a government-designated facility. These measures were implemented to prevent, control, contain, and suppress the spread of COVID-19 in Belize.

The announcement of these new entry requirements came shortly after the identification of the Omicron variant in South Africa. At the time, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the Omicron variant was more transmissible than previous variants, but initial indications suggested that symptoms might be milder. However, health officials raised concerns that the increased transmissibility could lead to more hospitalizations.

In response to the emergence of the Omicron variant, Belize also imposed a curfew from Sunday to Thursday, 11 pm to 4 am, and on Fridays and Saturdays, midnight to 4 am. Minors were required to remain on their private property during the curfew hours unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness in Belize urged the public to continue following COVID-19 prevention protocols to reduce the spread of the virus.

Belize's dominant COVID-19 strain is Delta

Delta is estimated to have caused more than twice as many infections as previous variants. It is considered more contagious and severe than its predecessors, with early studies suggesting it doubled the hospitalization risk compared to the Alpha variant. While all three vaccines in the US were effective against severe illness, Delta still caused breakthrough infections in some fully vaccinated individuals.

In Belize, health officials are increasing their COVID-19 surveillance efforts following the emergence of the Omicron variant. At the time of writing, the Omicron variant has not yet been identified in Belize or the wider region. The country's Central Medical Lab now has the equipment and expertise to carry out gene sequencing to detect the variant when it does arrive.

The Omicron variant, first identified in Botswana and South Africa in November 2021, has a large number of mutations, including more than 30 on the spike protein. This enhances its transmissibility and may contribute to immune evasion. While Omicron symptoms appear milder, health officials in South Africa, where the variant is dominant, are calling for more data before other nations impose restrictive measures.

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