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Island residents are invited to participate in the first COVID-19 rapid testing drive set for Wednesday, January 6th, from 1PM to 4PM at the Central Park on Barrier Reef Drive. The test is FREE, and health representatives on the island organising the event urge the general public to take advantage of this initiative. Results will be available within 15 - 20 minutes, and those who test positive may need to take a PCR test for confirmation.

Dr. Javier Canul at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic urges islanders to take this opportunity to know their status concerning COVID-19. "We are encouraging the general public to get a rapid test, whether you have symptoms or not at the Central Park on Wednesday," said Canul. The doctor said that the results of the drive should reveal if there are more cases on the island than those officially being reported.

Canul explained that if someone tests positive, they will be required to quarantine. They will receive social security benefits, and food assistance will be provided if necessary. No appointments are need to participate in the rapid test drive. The organisers hope to see as much participation as possible in this important move to try curbing the spread of the virus in San Pedro Town.
Photos of yesterday's COVID-19 rapid testing drive at Central Park in downtown San Pedro. Photos by San Pedro Sun

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Covid-19 rapid testing drive identifies only three positive cases in San Pedro Town

Three persons tested positive for COVID-19 after a rapid testing drive held at Central Park on Wednesday, January 6th in San Pedro Town. 61 persons were swabbed between 1PM and 4PM during the event organized by the island health authorities. According to Dr. Javier Canul at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, the rapid testing drive was well received. With the help of the San Pedro Police Formation, social distancing was observed and one by one, the many participants were swabbed and then waited for their results. The medical staff at the booth ended the rapid testing drive when they ran out of swabs. They were happy to report that 58 persons turned out to be negative and not carriers of the deadly virus.

The majority of the participants included bartenders, waitresses/waiters, tour guides, and public workers. The test was done via a swab of the nasal cavity. If the results turned out positive, a PCR test was required to confirm the infection. Those with positive results were swabbed for a second time, via their mouth (throat) for the PCR examination. The PCR test results will take a few days, as this is done in Belize City. The positive cases were advised to quarantine while they await results.

Click here to read the rest of the article in the San Pedro Sun
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