Posted: Wednesday, July 1, 2020. 6:34 pm CST.
By BBN Staff: The Republic of China (Taiwan) has assisted Belize’s national COVID-19 response through the donation of 5,000 COVID-19 antibody rapid test kits.
Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize H.E. Remus Li-Kuo Chen, handed over the test kits to Prime Minister Dean Barrow in Belize City today.
The antibody rapid test kits, which were developed by Taiwan’s “Excelsior Bio-System Incorporation” can deliver reliable results in just 10-15 minutes, and can be used to screen persons who were infected up to 7 days prior. The Embassy of Taiwan noted that the rapid test kits for the detection of antibodies of the virus boast 100 percent sensitivity and 95 percent specificity.
The embassy also noted that the equipment will be used to assist Belize as the country prepares to reopen the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) in August.
The Government of Belize noted that the donation forms a part of a larger COVID-19 assistance donation made by Taiwan.
“The Government of Taiwan has also donated PCR analyzers and PCR test kits, 640,000 surgical masks, six thermal imaging cameras, 10,000 N-95 masks, 700 infrared forehead thermometers, 2,000 protective clothing, 4,000 isolation gowns, two automated temperature measurement systems, 10,000 nasal swabs and five ventilators in support of the efforts of the Government of Belize to contain COVID-19. Additionally, Taiwan has provided financial aid to Belize in the past few months,” GOB said.
The government also said that it remains committed to working with Taiwan and all its international partners in weathering the global pandemic.