Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The Federal Health Secretariat has reported that, as of 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 24, the number of people infected with COVID-19 in the country exceeds four hundred confirmed cases, and the number of virus-related deaths has risen to five.
Specifically, 405 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed. 90% of those infected by the virus are recovering in home isolation, while the other 10% have been hospitalized.
In addition, there are 826 suspected cases of COVID-19 in the country, with those under study receiving special care in quarantine until infection has been confirmed or ruled out.
At the time of the report’s publication, a total of 2,161 suspected cases had been analyzed, 1,219 of which had tested negative. Authorities continue to investigate additional suspected cases of coronavirus throughout the country.
Up until this week, all of the COVID-19 cases in Mexico had been “imported” (contracted while traveling abroad), but now community-based transmission of the virus has begun in several states.
In light of this, on March 24, the Health Secretary declared the start of Phase 2 of the country’s coronavirus contingency plan, which calls for strengthening existing strategies and implementing new preventive measures to reduce transmission among the population.
The measures include the hiring of health professionals; the availability of hospital infrastructure and supplies, including intensive care units, hospital beds, mechanical ventilators, monitors, oximeters and portable X-rays, etc.; as well as allocating sufficient financial resources.
Since social distancing is the best way to prevent the spread of the virus, the government is asking the entire population to stay at home and postpone any non-essential activity for as long as possible to prevent the need for the government to enforce a mandatory quarantine.
Sources: gob.mx/salud • vallartaopinaenlinea.com
