And while the government may be locking down those villages only after there has been some level of community spread, that is why they must continue preparing for a wider spike - or worse, a third wave.
Today, for example we confirmed that the Dangriga Town Council had to be closed down after 5 confirmed cases appeared.
And today there is the news of one new COVID death from the Orange Walk district, and 49 new cases being reported - 16 of them from Toledo.
So, when the numbers start going up like this - it's time o ask how many COVID beds and "vents" are available.
After being unable to answer those questions during Thursday's press conference, the Minister reminded the House today about the facilities and equipment available.
Hon. Michel Chebat, Minister of Health and Wellness
"At the KHMH, we have available up to 33 COVID beds and 24 ventilators. In San Pedro we have 3 COVID beds, at the Corozal Community hospital, we have 20. At the Northern Regional in Orange Walk we have 14, at the Western Regional Hospital we have 28 beds and 6 ventilators, at the southern Regional, we have 5, at the San Ignacio Community Hospital we have 8, and at the Punta Gorda Community Hospital we also have 8. In addition, we have 6 ventilators that are on standby and ready to be deployed. This, madam speaker, are in addition to other equipment and supplies that this government has deployed to the KHMH and to other public hospitals which include defibrillators, EKG machines, infusion pumps, patient monitors, IV stands, and patient trolleys to name a few."
Today Minister Chebat also reminded the country of the new regulation that all Healthcare workers, BDF soldiers, coast guard and police officers, teacher tourism workers, customs and immigration officers and all other essential workers such as those at BTL, BEL, BWS and those in transportation included buses, taxis and ferries must be vaccinated in July or they will be required to present a negative PCR test every two weeks.
