COVID-19: Five Years Later—What We Still Don’t Know and Its Lasting Impact on Belize

Five years after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, the world has largely moved on, but the virus has left an indelible mark on societies, economies, and public health systems. While Belize and the rest of the Caribbean have made significant strides in recovery, many lingering questions about the virus and its long-term effects remain unanswered.

The Timeline

The CDC Museum’s COVID-19 Timeline chronicles key events in the pandemic’s progression:

Late 2019:

• December 12: A cluster of pneumonia cases with an unknown cause emerges in Wuhan, China.
• December 31: WHO is informed of these cases, all linked to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market.

Early 2020:

• January 1: The Huanan Seafood Market is closed.
• January 7: Chinese officials identify a novel coronavirus as the outbreak’s cause.
• January 11: China reports the first death from the virus.
• January 13: Thailand confirms the first case outside China.
• January 20: The U.S. reports its first case.
• January 30: WHO declares a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Mid-2020:

• March 11: WHO declares COVID-19 a pandemic.
• March 19: CDC updates social distancing guidelines for schools, reducing the distance to 3 feet for elementary students with universal masking.
• March 25: CDC announces $300 million in funding to address disparities in COVID-19 services and plans to provide vaccinations at dialysis clinics.
• March 29: A CDC study finds mRNA vaccines 90% effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection among essential workers.
• March 31: CDC and NIH launch the “Say Yes! COVID Test” program, offering free at-home tests in select communities.

Late 2020:

• December 14: The U.S. begins its vaccination campaign.

Early 2021:

• March 29: CDC extends the eviction moratorium through June 30, 2021.

Late 2021:

• December 27: CDC shortens isolation recommendations from 10 to 5 days for asymptomatic individuals, with an additional 5 days of masking.

Early 2022:

• January 31: FDA grants full approval to Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for adults.
• March 29: FDA authorises a second booster for adults 50 and older.
• June 18: CDC recommends vaccines for children as young as 6 months.

Mid 2022:

• August 31: FDA authorises updated booster shots targeting Omicron sublineages.

Mid-2023:

• May 5: WHO declares COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency.

Mid-2024:

• August 22: FDA authorises updated vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech.

What We Still Don’t Know

Despite years of research, scientists are still grappling with critical uncertainties about COVID-19. One major unknown is the full extent of long-term health complications. Long COVID—a condition where individuals continue to experience symptoms months or even years after infection—remains poorly understood. Belizean doctors report cases of patients suffering from persistent fatigue, brain fog, and respiratory issues, but there are no local statistics to gauge the true impact.

Questions remain about the virus’s evolution. While the Omicron variant and its sub-lineages have been dominant in recent years, the possibility of new, more severe mutations remains a concern.

Another lingering mystery is the long-term impact of COVID-19 on children’s development, particularly in education. Belizean students faced prolonged school closures, and while online learning was implemented, disparities in internet access meant many were left behind.

COVID-19’s Ongoing Impact in Belize

On March 23, 2020, the Ministry of Health confirmed Belize’s first COVID-19 case—a 38-year-old Belizean woman from San Pedro who had recently travelled from Los Angeles, transiting through Texas. Authorities determined the case was travel-related and took immediate steps to prevent community spread, including contact tracing, dispatching health teams to San Pedro, and adjusting health services at the island’s polyclinic.

In Belize, the last reported COVID-19 statistics showed a total of 71,409 confirmed cases and 688 deaths.

While the immediate crisis has passed, COVID-19 continues to affect Belize in several ways:

The pandemic dealt a severe blow to Belize’s economy, particularly its tourism sector. In 2020, the country saw a 70% decline in tourist arrivals, leading to widespread job losses. While tourism has rebounded, businesses that shut down during the pandemic have not all reopened.

The government implemented relief measures, including unemployment benefits and business grants, but fiscal challenges persist. Inflation and the rising cost of goods—partly a consequence of global supply chain disruptions—continue to impact Belizean households.

The Social Security Board (SSB) continues to process COVID-19-related sickness benefits despite a decline in cases, according to former CEO Dr. Leroy Almendarz. He said that the board assesses all claims to ensure rightful payouts and noted a rise in claims for other serious conditions like cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. Almendarz also highlighted that the World Health Organization (WHO) defines illnesses based on prevalence and consistency rather than isolated cases.

COVID-19 exposed weaknesses in Belize’s healthcare infrastructure, from shortages of medical personnel to limited ICU capacity. While the system has improved, doctors and nurses who worked on the frontlines report burnout and ongoing staffing shortages. Additionally, non-COVID-related medical conditions saw delays in treatment, and many Belizeans are still catching up on critical healthcare needs.

Belize achieved significant vaccination coverage, but vaccine hesitancy remains a challenge. Misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines continues to circulate, contributing to scepticism about booster shots and other immunisation programs.