Three Guatemalans deported from the United States this week tested positive for the novel coronavirus upon arrival in their country, Guatemala's Foreign Ministry said Friday.
The May 13 flight from Alexandria, Louisiana carried 65 adults, according to the country's immigration institute. More than 100 Guatemalan deportees have tested positive after arriving from the U.S.
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Three Guatemalans deported from the United States this week tested positive for the novel coronavirus upon arrival in their country, Guatemala's Foreign Ministry said Friday.
A deportation flight scheduled for Friday was cancelled after President Alejandro Giammattei announced Thursday night that the country would be on round-the-clock lockdown through the weekend because of a resurgence in COVID-19 infections.
The U.S. had started testing deportees for the virus before their flights, but another deportee tested positive this month even after the U.S. certified he had tested negative before leaving.
Tomato vendors who live temporarily at La Terminal market when they arrive from their homes in the countryside, gather to figure out what do do with their produce amid a lockdown in Guatemala City, early Friday, May 15, 2020. The government decreed a three-day, nationwide lockdown starting Friday to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus, including the closing of La Terminal. (AP PhotoMoises Castillo)
People stand in line to buy food at a small grocery store in the "La Reformita" neighborhood during a total lockdown in Guatemala City, Friday, May 15, 2020. The government decreed a three-day, nationwide lockdown starting Friday to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoMoises Castillo)
People stand in line to buy food on a small grocery store in the "La Reformita" neighborhood during a lockdown in Guatemala City, Friday, May 15, 2020. The government decreed a three-day, nationwide lockdown starting Friday to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoMoises Castillo)
A potato vendor closes his shop at La Terminal market, closed during a total lockdown in Guatemala City, early Friday, May 15, 2020. The government decreed a three-day, nationwide lockdown starting Friday to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoMoises Castillo)
The Foreign Ministry said that after the infections were detected, the Health Ministry was asked to get in touch with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to review the protocols and decide what new measures would be necessary.
A tomato vendor wears a face mask decorated with the logo of the Spanish soccer team Real Madrid at "La Terminal" market, closed amid lockdown in Guatemala City, early Friday, May 15, 2020. The government decreed a three-day, nationwide lockdown starting Friday to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus, including the closing of La Terminal. (AP PhotoMoises Castillo)
A deportation flight scheduled for Friday was cancelled after President Alejandro Giammattei announced Thursday night that the country would be on round-the-clock lockdown through the weekend because of a resurgence in COVID-19 infections.
On April 13, a deportation flight from Alexandria, Louisiana carried at least 71 infected Guatemalans. The CDC sent a team after that flight to confirm Guatemala's testing.
Guatemala suspended flights several times, including after that case, to pressure the U.S. government to better screen deportees. The country's health officials have complained that the deportees represent a significant portion of Guatemala's infections.
A potato vendor stands on top of his sacks of vegetables as he works to close his shop at the "La Terminal" market, shut down during a total lockdown in Guatemala City, early Friday, May 15, 2020. The government decreed a three-day, nationwide lockdown starting Friday to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoMoises Castillo)
The U.S. had started testing deportees for the virus before their flights, but another deportee tested positive this month even after the U.S. certified he had tested negative before leaving.
Guatemala has 1,487 confirmed cases and 31 deaths.
A street food cart is folded up and parked in the "La Reformita" neighborhood during a total lockdown in Guatemala City, early Friday, May 15, 2020. The government decreed a three-day, nationwide lockdown starting Friday to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoMoises Castillo)
Tomato vendors who live temporarily at La Terminal market when they arrive from their homes in the countryside, gather to figure out what do do with their produce amid a lockdown in Guatemala City, early Friday, May 15, 2020. The government decreed a three-day, nationwide lockdown starting Friday to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus, including the closing of La Terminal. (AP PhotoMoises Castillo)
People stand in line to buy food at a small grocery store in the "La Reformita" neighborhood during a total lockdown in Guatemala City, Friday, May 15, 2020. The government decreed a three-day, nationwide lockdown starting Friday to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoMoises Castillo)
People stand in line to buy food on a small grocery store in the "La Reformita" neighborhood during a lockdown in Guatemala City, Friday, May 15, 2020. The government decreed a three-day, nationwide lockdown starting Friday to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoMoises Castillo)
A potato vendor closes his shop at La Terminal market, closed during a total lockdown in Guatemala City, early Friday, May 15, 2020. The government decreed a three-day, nationwide lockdown starting Friday to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoMoises Castillo)