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As we told you at the top of the news, Belize only has one positive test for COVID 19, out of 64 total tests which have been performed. 

But, that's not enough.  And it has been shown  - in places like South Korea - that blanket testing is the only way to effectively flatten what is known as the infection curve. 

But, is that something even within the realm of possibility for Belize?  Dr. Manzanero answered that today:â€Â¦

Dr. Marvin Manzanero - Director of Health Services
"We are not at the process of dispatching teams for blanket testing as yet. That's a consideration yes, if you are not finding your cases but again remember, we are going to be measured and we said it yesterday, how many sick people you have with the flu, how many people are dying from flu related illnesses and we are not seeing that spike yet, that's why eventually that can be considered."

Manza: Call Centers, Call Me!

And speaking any yesterday's Ask the Experts Session, Manzanero discussed thew ticklish issue of call centres and social distancing.  We know those require operators to work in cubicles quite close together.  Manzanero says as social distance rules tighten, that may have to change:

Dr. Marvin Manzanero - Director of Health Services
"The directive for call centres, that is an interesting situation. We will send out a note for employers because we understand that they don't practice adequate social distancing and there are very congested areas but again, anybody who is ill, you really need to stay away from work and I'm sure your employer will understand that. Eventually once we start scaling up the social distancing depending on which communities are affected, call centres may very well be entities that will close down as well."

Belize Medical Says Stay Away

And cutting quicker than a call center, Belize Medical Associates is pulling their hand, slowly, out of the alligator's mouth that is COVID-19.  In a Press release today the Private clinic announced that it would no longer see patients with signs or symptoms of COVID-19. 

They hope, in this way, to reduce staff exposure to the virus.

They claim that the move is a necessary one due to a lack of appropriate facilities. They also claim that it is not possible to separate patients due to the setup of the clinic.

And Medical Associates say that they stand ready to assist the national response by providing non-Covered medical services to the general public if and when the need arises 

The release ends by directing patients with symptoms to the Ministry of Health's hotline at 1-800-MOH-CARE.