*Governor Carlos Joaquin provided an update on the preventive actions to attend the health emergency
*The State Ministry of Health (SESA) reported 43 suspicious cases, of which, laboratory tests detected 21 negative cases, 18 still under examination and 4 positives
Cancun. Governor Carlos Joaquin updated the information on the efforts being made in Quintana Roo to address the health emergency caused by the Coronavirus.
“We must insist that in Quintana Roo we are still in Stage 1 of the attention models established by the World Health Organization, which is referred to as “Viral Import”.
This means that the cases we are identifying were infected with the virus outside of the state, during the time they spent in one of the countries that are having outbreaks.
This scenario still allows us to continue organizing public activities, but with significant preventive recommendations.
In this scenario it is necessary to incorporate stricter prevention measures.
For example, maintaining a social distance between persons of at least one meter, wherever you are. This measure doesn’t necessarily mean you should stay at home, but involves being more rigorous and responsible to avoid contagion possibilities.
Intensifying hand washing, and avoid handshakes, kissing hello and hugs.
Also, you should remember to use gel hand sanitizer on a daily basis.
Governor Carlos Joaquin noted: “We are strengthening the epidemiological surveillance in ports, airports, bus terminals and border bridges in Belize, with more personnel from the International Health Department, who check on those who arrive.
We are also making sure that the required cleaning and hygiene materials are available at these entry ports so that all passengers can use them at all times.
We have already installed infrared thermal cameras to detect individuals who may enter the state with symptoms of any respiratory disease.
Although there is criticism about this measure, which according to the World Health Organization has a reduced percentage of effectiveness, I have considered its use as another measure to increase the monitoring capacity. And we will not spare technological and human resources to protect everyone’s’ health.
We are also supplying surveys to each one of the passengers and visitors that arrive to the state about their health in order to have strategic information on which conditions that every person has and then be able to make informed decisions regarding their entrance.
I would like to mention that the Ministries of Health and Tourism will continue to update the information in a continuous and regular basis.
On the other hand, on March 20th, schools will be suspending classes a week before their Easter Holidays and this break period will be extended until April 20th.
This measure was also taken to reduce the risk of contagion. This week we will hold a special check-up in schools for children and youngsters to detect those who have a respiratory disease, so they can go back home and recover.
We are making sure that all classrooms, government offices, day care centers for babies and elders, shelters and prisons have enough hygiene supplies.
We are requesting the transport companies and trade unions, passenger ships going to the islands, Isla Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and Holbox, to sanitize their units in order to guarantee a hygienic environment to the passengers.
We will review procedures and actions of the Government of Quintana Roo that generate large gatherings, so that they are postponed.
I have also instructed to train staff of hotels, restaurants, bars, transportation, commercial squares and lodging platforms so that they know how to detect a case of Coronavirus, as well as the adhere to strict hygiene measures for every activity.
Furthermore, I have requested the Minister of Labor to inform all companies and work centers, about the hygiene measures for our people, which is also very important.
About the data updates on cases in the state, I should also tell you about that as of today we have 43 suspicious cases that have been analyzed, 21 of which are negative and 18 still being analyzed. We have 4 positive cases, all of them in the municipality of Benito Juarez.
It is important to mention that all these cases have to do with people that live in Mexico. A Mexican-Italian individual and three others that are also Mexican nationals, all of whom were visiting abroad and had contact with someone that was positive for COVID-19.
We are working together with each of them, all are already in isolation and under control, precisely to prevent they continue to be a source of contagion. Three of them are under isolation, but at their homes and just one of them is in the hospital.
For the good of our people it is necessary to stay focused on preventative measures. Phase 1 measures include frequently washing hands with soap and water, using antibacterial gel, increasing hygienic measures, looking out for where we put our arms and hands, like common tables or in our workplace, and continue to keep those surfaces clean. Avoid handshakes, kissing hello, hugs and it is very important to keep a social distance between persons of at least one meter.
At the State Government level, we have postponed every large-scale event we have on the agenda. We will reschedule them for later in the year, with the intention of taking care of our families and avoiding the contagion spreading among us. Actions like these are very important.
Please, let us take care of each other. Solidarity is important and following every prevention recommendation is what will help Quintana Roo move forward, avoiding the spread and moving beyond this situation as quickly as possible.
Finally, I ask that everyone share this information, follow the updates through the official channels, and remind all that we trust deeply in the solidarity of the families of Quintana Roo.
