“Border jumpers need to be immediately swabbed,” says Director of Health Services

By BBN Staff: Director of Health Services for the Ministry of Health Dr. Marvin Manzanero said today that anyone suspected of making an illegal border crossing needs to be immediately swabbed for COVID-19.

Manzanero, speaking on Ask the Experts, said that the Country has 16 active cases of COVID-19, 11 of which come from Orange Walk. The majority of those Orange Walk cases are from a border community where reports are that one person makes regular illegal trips across the border. Manzanero said that the Ministry has been working with community members in that area, and that the ministry is repeatedly asked about the criteria for swabbing.

“In reality the quick answer, as ironic as it may seem, is if you jump the border. If you jump the border then you have an immediate reason why you should be swabbed,” Manzanero said.

He noted that when the criteria for swabbing was shared many community members went silent, and no one came forward with any information.

Manzanero has repeatedly cautioned that illegal border crossings are a major health risk to Belize and has on several occasions said that there needs to be more monitoring of border communities to discourage such.

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