Three persons tested positive for COVID-19 after a rapid testing drive held at Central Park on Wednesday, January 6th in San Pedro Town. 61 persons were swabbed between 1PM and 4PM during the event organized by the island health authorities.
According to Dr. Javier Canul at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, the rapid testing drive was well received. With the help of the San Pedro Police Formation, social distancing was observed and one by one, the many participants were swabbed and then waited for their results.
The majority of the participants included bartenders, waitresses/waiters, tour guides, and public workers. The test was done via a swab of the nasal cavity. If the results turned out positive, a PCR test was required to confirm the infection. Those with positive results were swabbed for a second time, via their mouth (throat) for the PCR examination. The PCR test results will take a few days, as this is done in Belize City. The positive cases were advised to quarantine while they await results.
The medical staff at the booth ended the rapid testing drive when they ran out of swabs. They were happy to report that 58 persons turned out to be negative and not carriers of the deadly virus.
Island residents are being asked to please continue following the COVID-19 protocols: wash hands, wear face masks while in public, and observe social distancing from others. The number of active cases has seen a significant reduction, with less than 600 countrywide and only around 15 infected persons on the island.
