PAHO alerts on the increase of Covid-19 infections in Latin America

The region reports the highest numbers of cases since the beginning of the pandemic, warned PAHO Director Carissa Etienne.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warned this Wednesday that in recent weeks the Latin American region has registered the highest levels of new cases of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic.

During a press conference, the director of that organization, Carissa Etienne, linked the recent increases in infections with the spread of Covid-19 in Canada and the United States (USA), as well as in Central American nations and Brazil.

Bazil is currently reporting its highest incidence of new cases in South America. With cases and deaths mounting, Brazil’s health system is under strain and hospitals are at capacity in some areas – @DirOPSPAHO #COVID19 https://t.co/VfFfY9WdFd

— PAHO/WHO (@pahowho) December 9, 2020

Etienne pointed out that with regard to North America, the advent of winter raises particular concern, which could generate greater concentrations of people in closed and poorly ventilated spaces, which sets an ideal scenario for this virus.

North America’s continued rise in infections is particularly worrisome as winter approaches in the Northern Hemisphere – @DirOPSPAHO #COVID19 https://t.co/qwdUbnTgG1

— PAHO/WHO (@pahowho) December 9, 2020

The PAHO official said that in the US (with 286.338 deaths) around 200.000 cases are being diagnosed daily and there are currently 100.000 people hospitalized.

Regarding Canada, she said that infections continue to rise and some provinces have registered record numbers of deaths, and in the case of Mexico she mentioned the resurgence of cases in Baja California, near the border with the United States.

In Central America, Panama continues to report a high incidence of COVID-19 cases, and Honduras and Guatemala are experiencing a particular increase in cases in the areas most affected by Hurricanes Iota and Eta – @DirOPSPAHO https://t.co/54ktjyKVKf

— PAHO/WHO (@pahowho) December 9, 2020

Regarding Central America, she explained that Panama continues to report a high incidence of infections, and this behavior is replicated in regions of Honduras and Guatemala that were affected by hurricanes Iota and Eta.

For several months, Brazil has had the highest incidence in South America, and the growth in infections and deaths in recent days has kept its health system under stress, with reports of fully full hospitals in certain areas, she explained.

We’re also seeing rises in cases and deaths in areas of Colombia bordering Venezuela and Ecuador – @DirOPSPAHO #COVID19 https://t.co/dTDsu018Pm

— PAHO/WHO (@pahowho) December 9, 2020

Etienne also drew attention to the increase in cases and deaths in areas of Colombia bordering Venezuela and Ecuador.

She stressed that “these figures and trends make it clear that our region must redouble prevention measures (…) Now is not the time to relax,” she warned.

Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, America has registered more than 28.5 million infections and 753.000 deaths.