But while the prognosis is grim, for the time being, Belize still has no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus. But not so for our neighbors. Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico have now all confirmed cases of Covid-19. Guatemala's first case was confirmed this afternoon by president Alejandro Giammattei who received the news via cell phone during a press conference in Guatemala City. He said to the gathering, "It is the call that I would never have wanted to receive", end quote. That country's first case is a Guatemalan who arrived from northern Italy and was transferred to the a quarantine hospital in Villa Nueva - which was quite a chaotic scene with the press as hospital staff tried to transfer the patient.

So, Belize's neighbours have all reported cases, and this country now stands as among the last 65 in the world to report a first case of COVID-19.

The Ministry of Health this evening confirmed that it has completed another review of the COVID-19 plan with the different regional management teams and the Chief Executive Officer of the KHMH. The Ministry says it is also following persons who are now in self-isolation given their recent travel history. The Ministry continues to monitor any potential cases, especially those that are coming from countries where there is ongoing community spread. But, there is a change in protocol. The Ministry is now requiring that all foreigners arriving from China, France, Germany, Italy, Iran, Japan, South Korea, and Spain be placed under quarantine at their own expense. A release adds "any national returning from these countries, and from cities in the United States that have documented community spread, will be placed under quarantine."