And this evening we asked Dr. Natalia Beer about contacting tracing for classrooms, and what is being done to ensure the health and safety of those who aren't yet eligible for the vaccine.
Dr. Natalia Beer, Maternal and Child health Specialist, Ministry of Health
"We are, the central health region team is working hard with the contact tracing. Contact tracing is what will allow us to contain the spread of the infection and measures are being implemented with the schools to reduce the exposure of other kids to the virus. Just like in other countries when having cases in schools we start first with the classroom where the positive cases are identified and if I am not mistaken the results from the testing from one of the classrooms, the kid that was positive is a close contact of a family member that was diagnose positive. So in this case it is recommended that the kids the classroom where you have this child that has tested positive - the rest of the kids can stay away from the class until their results are available, the PCR result and then if we confirm that all of them are negative, none of them have signs and symptoms then they can go back to school."
"The virus is here with us, we know that for a fact. We are providing vaccines. Unfortunately, we don't have enough vaccines on hand to provide the vaccines. For all those who are eligible, we are acquiring vaccines from other donations and we are seeking for other sources of vaccines, so carrying the virus from outside the home, inside the home or in an establishment with co-workers or in the schools among students, that is expected to happen. What we need to ensure is that everyone practices the public health regulations; proper use of the face mask, covering nose and chin, washing hands, sanitizing hands as often as possible, keeping distance, especially in public places and I think the success to contain contact tracing. We are asking persons to be honest in sharing the data when asked about contacts and we are asking that the persons identified as close contacts get tested and asking that persons who are asked to go into quarantine or in isolation they comply with it. It's the only way we can stop the spread of the virus."
Later on, we'll have more from Dr Beer on the activation of the Chinese vaccine, Sinopharm here in Belize.
