Belize Prime Minister tested for COVID-19

BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC – Prime Minister Dean Barrow has been tested for the coronavirus (COVID-19) and has gone into self-quarantine pending the results, according to an official statement.

It said that Barrow, who is not contesting the November 11 general election, along with his driver and his staff were swabbed for COVID-19.

“This is as a result of his security testing positive for COVID-19. The Prime Minister and all his staff are in self-quarantine pending results of their tests,” the statement said, giving no further details on the issue.

The announcement comes as Belize reported two more deaths and 72 new cases of the virus over the past 24 hours.

The Office of the Director of Medical Services said that the 72 new cases were recorded across several parts of the country including Orange Walk and Stann Creek.

“There are two deaths to report …both males. One from Orange Walk in his 80’s [and] the second male is from San Ignacio who had been swabbed as a highly symptomatic case and has been confirmed as a positive case. Our case fatality rate is now 1.66 per cent,” the statement said.

According to the official figures, Belize now has 3,977 positive cases of the virus with 1,588 being active.

There have been 66 deaths.

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