Belize’s fatality rate higher than the global average, the public must remain vigilant

Published by BBN Staff at January 31, 2021

Tags

Posted: Sunday, January 31, 2021. 7:09 pm CST.

By BBN Staff: The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) noted this week that Belize has seen a reduction in the number of reported COVID-19 cases. While a drop in the number of cases is encouraging, there is another number that Belizeans need to pay attention to, the fatality rate, which is higher than the regional and global average.

While comparing the impact of COVID-19 from country to country would be a difficult task due to complexities such as population health and strength of the health systems in the compared countries, fatality rates provide a good basis for comparison as it paints a picture of how deadly the virus is relative to the number of people infected.

The Caribbean, according to data gathered from the regional media outlet Loop, has a fatality rate of 1.4. per every 100 infections. Meanwhile, the United States, the hardest-hit country in the world both by the number of infections (26,763,217) and deaths (452,214) has a fatality rate of 1.68. per 100 infections. The global fatality rate, according to data gathered by Worldometer stands at 2.16.

However, Belize, which has had 11,908 confirmed cases and 301 deaths, has a fatality rate of 2.52 according to the MOHW. COVID-19 is killing Belizeans at a rate that is around 18 percent higher than the global average, and around 50 percent higher than the hardest-hit country in the world. These statistics become much more impactful when they are viewed as the loss of loved ones, parents, siblings, relatives, friends, as opposed to just numbers and percentages. These numbers represent a call to action for every Belizean.

Breaking Belize News joins with the MOHW and all other authorities in calling on all Belizeans to be vigilant in following the established protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please wear your masks properly (so it covers the mouth and nose), limit movement to essential business only, practice social distancing when in public spaces, and refrain from gatherings above the prescribed legal limit.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.