Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Infrastructure and Resources in Schools in Belize during the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2021-2023.

Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) resources in schools is critical for disease prevention and control, especially during public health emergencies. In Belize, systematic, national data on WASH in schools are needed to inform public health decisions and interventions. From December 2021 to January 2022, a national survey was sent electronically to government and government-aided primary and secondary schools in Belize (N = 308) to gather information on WASH services. From the survey, 12 pilot schools were selected based on the highest self-reported need for WASH resources to participate in additional evaluation and intervention, which included environmental nudges, supplemental supply provision, and hand hygiene education. To understand how the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced hand hygiene, facility assessments to evaluate access to hand hygiene resources were conducted in person when most schools reopened for face-to-face learning during the pandemic (March 2022) and 15 months later (June 2023). Among the schools participating in the national survey (N = 221), 55% reported times when water was not available at the schools. Almost 9 in 10 schools (89%) had a functional handwashing station, and 47% reported always having soap for handwashing. Between baseline and follow-up at the 12 pilot schools, we observed decreases in the proportion of functional handwashing access points (-11%), functional handwashing access points accessible for individuals with disabilities (-17%) and small children (-29%), and functional alcohol-based hand rub dispensers (-13%). Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we observed gaps in WASH resources in schools in Belize during the onsite assessments at the pilot schools. Schools should be encouraged and provided with WASH resources to maintain vigilance for disease control measures.

Belize Covid-19 report for November 1-7, 2022, having 15 new cases, confirming 68,972 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 Report

Two (2) new infographic report updates on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for November 1-7, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 report for November 8-14, 2022, having 16 new cases, confirming 68,988 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 Report

Two (2) new infographic report update on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for November 8-14, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 report for November 15-22, 2022, having 24 new cases, confirming 69,012 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 Report

Two (2) new infographic report updates on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for November 15-22, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 report for October 25-31, 2022, having 14 new cases, confirming 68,957 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 Report

Two (2) new infographic report updates on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for October 25-31, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 report for October 1-4, 2022, having 30 new cases, confirming 68,884 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 Report

Two (2) new infographic report updates on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for October 1-4, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 report for October 5-11, 2022, having 25 new cases, confirming 68,909 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 Report

Two (2) new infographic report updates on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for October 5-11, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 report for October 12-17, 2022, having 24 active cases [17 new], confirming 68,926 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 Report

Two (2) new infographic report updates on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for October 12-17, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 report for October 18-24, 2022, having 17 new cases, confirming 68,943 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 report for October 18-24, 2022

Two (2) new infographic daily report updates on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for October 18-24, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 report for September 24-27, 2022, having 42 new cases, confirming 68,826 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 Report

Two (2) new infographic report updates on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for September 24-27, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 report for September 28-30, 2022, having 28 new cases, confirming 68,854 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 Report

Two (2) new infographic report updates on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for September 28-30, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 daily report for April 7, 2021 confirming 12,485 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with three (3) descriptive infographics

Three (3) infographic daily report updates on Covid-19 and SARSCoV 2 lab screenings done in Belize for April 7, 2021 depicting the heat map by districts, total persons tested, negative persons, new positive cases, cumulative reports, those under investigation and overall percentages

Ministry of Health and Wellness Announces Approved COVID-19 Testing Sites January 20, 2021

On January 14, 2021, the Ministry of Health and Wellness announced plans to expand testing to include persons requiring negative COVID-19 tests for entry to other countries. To this end, the Ministry has published a list of approved COVID-19 testing sites.

Suspension of All Lotteries including Games of Chance and Government Lotteries

The Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade, and Commerce, as the Ministry responsible for Lotteries, informs the public that due to the state of emergency in place in response to COVID-19, all lotteries, including games of chance and Government Lotteries (Boledo, Jackpot and Ordinary), are suspended until further notice.

Belize SARSCOV2 Lab Screenings 23rd April 2020

This document is an infographic of COVID-19, detailing Belize SARSCOV2 Lab Screening relating to Tests Done, Negative Tests, Positive Tests, Recovered, Deaths, and the cases Under Investigation for the period 23rd April 2020 (AU)

Ministry of Health Announces First Case of COVID-19

The Ministry of Health announces the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Belize. The patient is a 38-year-old female, Belizean national who resides in San Pedro. The patient arrived in Belize on Thursday, March 19th, and sought medical attention at a private health facility with symptoms on Friday, March 20th. Her recent travel history shows she travelled from Los Angeles, California and transited through Texas. Based on this travel history and symptoms she exhibited, Belize's health system was alerted and due process and protocol started. All necessary precautions were taken on the Ministry's end.

Belize Covid-19 (Coronavirus inforgraphics first update) confirming 2 positive cases - March 25, 2020

First Coronavirus (covid-19) information overview of cases in Belize

Notice for Official Information on COVID-19

The Government of Belize reminds the public that ALL official information concerning COVID-19 (coronavirus) will come from the Government of Belize Press Office and the Ministry of Health. Information from any other source is not advised to be relied on.

New Measures Announced to Protect Against COVID-19 - March 20, 2020

Press release stating the COVID-19 National Oversight Committee held its second meeting March 20th. They agreed to take additional measures to further protect the health of Belizeans and reduce the threat of transmission of COVID-19 in Belize. One measure is to limit the number of persons who can gather in any space to 25 people.

Postponement of Cruise Line Service to Belize as Precautionary Measure amid COVID-19

The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has confirmed that as a part of the attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Ministry has received notification that Norwegian Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines are suspending global services for 30 days.