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We open tonight with an update on COVID-19 in Belize. There are still only two positive tests - both from San Pedro. Five more tests were done last night and they all came back negative.  So far, a total of 82 tests have been performed: 80 negative and two positive.  

And that's why in a special message to the nation tonight Prime Minister Dean Barrow is telling the nation not to panic.

Here's a portion of the ten minute dress released about an hour ago:

Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister
"My primary message is to assure that you are not alone, neither in your anxiety about the present challenges nor your preoccupation about the future. I thus reiterate to every Belizean that my Administration, together with the National Committees, will spare no effort, will action every partnership, will lose no opportunity to cushion the economic impacts and minimize the medical repercussions of this pandemic. First and most important, we can feed ourselves. And there are two things that are important in this connection. The global supply chain that facilitates imports of essential inputs for our country is not being broken. Even more important, though, is the fact of Belize's self-sufficiency in all basic commodities. With our local production of grains, meats, vegetables and poultry products we are able to dig in for the long haul."

"Second, Government is determined to deploy a diverse range of fiscal and monetary measures to fortify our economic structures and bring us through. Broadly speaking, all options are on the table and every backing we can at all come up with will be used to stabilize the economy and underpin the welfare of the people."

"Third, our team of public health care professionals reinforced by a first rate medical brigade from our Cuban allies and buttressed by a massive investment in emergency equipment and supplies will relentlessly identify, isolate and treat cases of COVID 19.
I repeat that, as hard as the circumstances are, there is no need to panic. And even if we have to take the ultimate step of a national shutdown, there will be no interruption of essential services. Access to food, pharmaceutical and other necessary supplies will be guaranteed."