AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize Life News Ministry of Health & Wellness Warns of Omicron Variant of COVID19

The Ministry of Health & Wellness informs the public that the pattern of the COVID-19 cases has changed. Currently, the majority of cases present upper airway symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose and sore throat associated with a mild fever and/or muscle aches and pains. The cases are increasing exponentially with a leap in the positivity rate from 2.5 to 16 in a very short period of time. While genomic sequencing is pending, epidemiologically, it appears to be the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Although cases are appearing to be mild when compared to the Delta variant, the rapid rise in cases in the country remains a significant concern and a threat to the health system. It is imperative that the public is aware that, clinically, the Omicron virus is in the country and therefore must strengthen public health and social measures at home and workplaces.

The ministry urges the public to continue to follow strict public health and social measures by wearing a properly fitted face mask at all times in public, washing and sanitizing hands regularly, maintaining proper physical distance and avoiding crowds and enclosed areas. The public is reminded that gathering and socializing in large groups are prohibited and that bars and nightclubs remain closed.

The COVID-19 vaccines, including booster doses, remain very effective at preventing severe symptoms of this disease and death. Boosters are being offered three months after the second dose of the two-dose vaccines and two months after the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen single-dose vaccine. Please speak to the ministry staff at any of the vaccine sites for more information.

The Ministry of Health & Wellness implores the public to work together to protect the vulnerable population, ensure a safe reopening of schools and stop the spread of COVID-19.

Omicron in Belize

The Omicron strain of the COVID virus - it's confirmed in 57 countries - and tonight you can just about call it 58. That's because while it has nt been scientifically confirmed to be present in Belize - the sharp spike in numbers give every indication that COVID is spreading very fast right now.

Today, after weeks of silence, the Ministry of Health and Wellness noted, quote, "that the pattern of the COVID-19 cases has changed. Currently, the majority of cases present upper airway symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose and sore throat associated with a mild fever and/or muscle aches and pains. The cases are increasing exponentially with a leap in the positivity rate from 2.5 to 16 in a very short period of time epidemiologically, it appears to be the Omicron variant of COVID-19." End quote.

So, there it is, the highly transmissible, less severe COVID strain all but confirmed in Belize. This afternoon, the Technical Advisor in the Maternal and Child Health Unit had a press briefing to explain why the data forces them to conclude Omicron is here:

Dr. Natalia Beer - Technical Adviser, NHC Unit
"Epidemiological we have omicron here, we just need to prove with the general sequencing. Unfortunately that's won't be ready until the next 15 days and the basis for that is the data. We know that there has been an increase in the number of cases. For the 6th of December we had 144 cases that were reported, for the 20th we had 48 cases, for the 28th we had 231 cases and for the 29th, just yesterday we had 333 cases. While we have a sharp increase of the possibility rate, it is not translating in persons being hospitalized or a large number of persons reaching to the ICU. It's best for us to walk out of this conversation thinking that we have omicron in Belize and work towards facing omicron."

Channel 7