Andina

Peru: Surge in COVID-19 cases among young adults after year-end festivities in Huanuco

Photo: Essalud

Photo: Essalud

00:00 | Huanuco (Huanuco region), Jan. 7.

During the first five days of 2021, Hospital No. II of the Andean city of Huanuco reported 308 new COVID-19 cases, including young adults aged 25–29 years, Huanuco's EsSalud Healthcare Network Director Jaime Valderrama has reported.

The Social Health Insurance System (EsSalud) authority explained that many of the 147 people who remain hospitalized at the health facility are younger than 30 years and, even though most of them experience mild to moderate symptoms, the prevalence of the disease in the in-patient setting is higher in male patients (61%).

Valderrama indicated that year-end festivities, in addition to the troupes of dancers —who took over the streets since December 26, 2020 without considering the 
proper use of face masks, or even without them, as well as the adequate physical distancing— would have been one of the causes of this increase, mainly in young patients.

"I have to say, with great concern, that —although 'Los Negritos' is a tradition in Huanuco and we must not forget our culture— the health and lives of people must take the utmost priority for now," he commented.

"I would recommend avoiding these events, which lead the population to agglomeration and overcrowding," he added.

In this sense, the EsSalud Healthcare Network Director urged locals to take care of their health and protect their families by strengthening biosafety measures such as the proper use of face masks covering the nose and mouth at all times, frequent hand washing for at least 20 seconds, and physical distancing of at least two meters.

Currently, the Intensive Care Unit at Hospital No. II of Huanuco is treating at least 20 patients (12 men and 8 women) aged 39 years and older —most of them suffering from chronic diseases such as arterial hypertension, obesity, and diabetes.

For this reason, the population is recommended to improve its lifestyle by increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables, drinking at least eight glasses of water a day, and doing physical exercise.

(END) NDP/LZD/RMB/MVB

Published: 1/7/2021