On Thursday October 14th. the Ministry of Health’s (up to the Minute) Facebook/Video Dr. J. Sabido indicated that the curfew hours may be adjusted, dependent on the positivity rate. So we decided to compile some information to let you know a little bit more about the Positivity Rate, what it means, how to calculate it and how we have been doing in the past few months.
For some historical prospective on the statistic known as the Positivity Rate we can look back to August 19th. 2021 and September 1st. 2021, shown in the MOH Infographics Charts below.
Precisely 2 Months ago the positivity rate was about 6%-7% – Positivity Rates can fluctuate widely dependent on accuracy of data collected. But it is a very good indicator of how well the country is fairing, in its fight against COVID-19.
On August 19th. 2021 the POSITIVITY RATE WAS 6.9% (1,624 Tests & 111 positive )
On September 1st. 2021 the POSITIVITY RATE WAS 9.25% (1,513 Tests & 140 positive )
To calculate the COVID-19 Positivity Rate:
Number of Positive Cases (—) divided by the Total Test Done (—-) x 100
NOTE: MoH uses ‘Persons Tested’ and not ‘New Tests’ to calculate Positivity rate.
A few months ago the Orange Walk district was the primary area that contributed to a higher Positivity Rate, although the population their is much less than Belize City.
Today, the October 18/19th. COVID-19 report, Belize City is the area with the highest COVID-19 Positive cases (135); whether or not the Orange Walk district or Cayo, or other districts are being tested less (based on a percentage of the population in those districts) is not clear at the moment. But the most recent data from MoHw indicates that Belize City accounted for 135 cases. With that data we can immediately see that if we removed the cases found in the Belize district the Positivity rate would be 8.5% to 9.5%.
The population of the Belize district is approximately 37% of Belize’s entire population. The statistical data collected by the Ministry of Health is the primary factor that affect changes in regulations and the strategy of how and where the government will combat the spread of the virus.
What can ‘you’ do to help combat the spread and bring down the positivity rate: Please Read This !
Written & Compiled by: channel1Belize.com / digitalBelize,LIVE Staff writer – Tuesday, October 19th. 2021 – digitalbelize@gmail.com