And while the issuance of tickets should see a sharp decrease in the number of violators lining up outside court on Monday morning, there's also been a sharp decrease in the number of new cases.
Minister Chebat outlined the decline in active cases:
Hon. Michel Chebat, Minister of Health & Wellness
"We have seen a steady decrease in positivity rate from 20% to 10% for example in December in the Belize District, we had 1073 cases; in January that is now down to 348. In the Cayo District, we started at 983; we are now down to 273. In Corozal, 492; we are down to 62. In Orange Walk 625 cases; we are now down to 66. In Stann Creek, 452 cases and we are now at 128; and in the Toledo District, we started at 368; we are now at 152."
And while active cases have declined, so far for January, 53 persons have died due to COVID 19.
We turn quickly to the Ministry's daily update on the COVID-19 pandemic. They're reporting tonight that 3 more COVID-positive patients - all women - have died. The Ministry notes that none of these newly reported COVID deaths occurred within the last 24 hours, but they do bring the country's case fatality rate to 2.53%.
587 tests were completed today, and out of that amount, 32 positive cases were newly identified. The daily positivity rate is 5.46%. There are 21 new recoveries, 256 new cases under investigation, and 11 active hospitalizations. Of those eleven, 3 are admitted to intensive care.
