First Case Of COVID-19 Confirmed On Caye Caulker
More than four months after closing the Belize borders the first case of COVID-19 has been confirmed on La Isla Carinosa Caye Caulker. The Ministry of Health (MoH) has not yet linked the case in Caye Caulker to any of the previously confirmed cases.
COVID-19 In Caye Caulker
Since many people left the island, Caye Caulker is a small community who call the island their home. And those residents stick together during difficult times.
To go for months without any COVID cases, shows that most residents were very disciplined from the beginning of the pandemic. And together Caye Caulker can do this again! “Now, more than ever, we have to be diligent with the recommendations of wearing the mask properly, self distancing, washing our hands, not touching our faces, and not leaving our houses unless we have to,” a Caye Caulker resident says.
In addition to adhering to safety measures, the residents of Caye Caulker promote kindness and support for who has been diagnosed as Caye Caulker’s first COVID-19 case and asked each other not to stigmatize. “Let’s be kind and supportive of people diagnosed with COVID-19 and help where we can,” states one of the Facebook posts.
The Caye Caulker Village Council Chairlady, Seleny Villanueva Pott, is asking the Government of Belize for support to keep Caye Caulker as safe as possible. “I make a public appeal to the various ministries to give us extra attention as we are a very, small, interactive community,” Villanueva Pott said.
COVID-19 In Belize
According to the MoH, a total of 144 samples have been processed throughout the day on August 10, 2020, that have confirmed a total of 23 new positive cases in Belize with a preliminary breakdown as follows:
- 3 cases in Belmopan (2 are linked to the previous identified positive case in Belmopan and the other case is linked to San Pedro)
- 1 in rural Corozal with apparent link to San Pedro
- 2 cases in Orange Walk (1 from Santa Marta and 1 from Orange Walk Town linked to a previously identified case)
- 1 case in Caye Caulker (with no apparent link to any previously identified case for now)
- 5 cases in Belize City (1 case with no apparent link to any previously identified cases, 4 others linked to previously identified cases)
- The remaining cases are in San Pedro.
Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen
These latest developments in the country of Belize will delay the reopening of the airport as phase 3 of the 5-phase reopening plan. As a result, the opportunity for work and any income for many Caye Caulker residents is delayed even further.
The number of people who depend on the Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen is on the rise while the funds are dwindling. Hand of Love already had to reduce the number of recipients drastically before they shut down completely which leaves the Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen as the sole supporter of families in need.
If you can and want to help, please visit the Soup Kitchen’s GoFundMe page and make a donation. Every dollar helps to keep the Soup Kitchen going for as long as necessary!
