COVID 19 is now a pandemic that has resulted in the loss of three Belizean men. These statistics may be low but could have been prevented if due care and attention was provided to these high-risk patients when requested.

The citizens are calling for the Government of Belize and the Ministry of Health to modify their current COVID-19 testing protocol. Remove the requirement that someone with symptoms will only be tested if they have been in contact with someone positive. High-risk patients or patients with any symptoms associated with COVID-19 should be tested using the GeneXpert Platform, which provides faster results. These patients should then be admitted to the COVID-19 units and physical checks completed to rule out any lung damage.

Both the Government of Belize and the Ministry of Health (MOH) repeatedly and regularly reminds Belizeans to consider their "high-risk" relatives while navigating through this pandemic. The MOH recommends us to call their hotline should symptoms present themselves, especially amongst high-risk Belizeans, but currently testing is being denied.

Generally speaking, anyone who may have mild symptoms should be tested upon request, as they pose the risk of spreading the virus to a multitude of people. The spread, we are asked and required to avoid to the best of our abilities.

Asthma, diabetes, cancer, heart conditions, lung disease, hypertension, immune-compromised, overweight and obesity, and the elderly - these are all high-risk factors that can turn deadly if left unchecked.

I am imploring all Belizeans to sign this petition, to demand this necessary change, as we are entitled to it, and no longer want to put our loved ones at risk.