Andina

Peru: COVID-19 cases in Ancash, Junin regions close to exceeding first wave figures

Photo. ANDINA/Diffusion

Photo. ANDINA/Diffusion

13:15 | Lima, Feb. 3.

The Peruvian regions of Ancash and Junin are close to exceeding the maximum number of infections recorded in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Social Health Insurance System (EsSalud) warned on Wednesday.

EsSalud's Intelligence and Data Analysis Unit Chief Dante Cersso indicated that Ancash reported 1,544 positive cases during the first wave in mid-2020. So far, it has registered 1,522 infected citizens —very close to exceeding the maximum peak of infections.

For its part, Junin recorded 2,086 cases —a figure much higher than that reported in 2020, which stood at 1,983.

Meanwhile, Tumbes —the northern region of the Peruvian coast— now shows a figure close to 400 positive cases, which was the peak of infections reported in the first wave.

The expert indicated that regions like Apurimac have already exceeded the maximum number of infections recorded in the initial wave of the pandemic.

"Apurimac region, for example, has already exceeded the maximum number of cases registered in the first wave, when it recorded 618 cases. So far, in this second wave, it has already registered 650 cases," he expressed.

Cersso also reported that there are regions like Piura which are still far from reaching their maximum peak of infections, if compared to the initial wave.

"Piura registered a maximum peak of 2,600 cases in May 2020, and it has reported 700 infections in January of this 2021," he said.

Faced with this dramatic situation, the official called on the population to become aware (of the emergency) and not to lower the guard in terms of biosafety measures aimed at facing the new coronavirus by wearing a face mask, washing hands frequently, and maintaining physical distance.

Hospitalized

Moreover, the EsSalud official announced that there are a total of 13,472 COVID-19 patients hospitalized nationwide —a figure close to the number of people (14,181) hospitalized during the first wave.

Therefore, the hospital response capacity is being strengthened by increasing the number of beds in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).

Screening

Regarding the diagnosis of COVID-19 cases, Cersso said that only in the previous week more than 200,000 screenings were conducted —a figure that far exceeds what was achieved during the first wave.

(END) LZD/MAO/MVB

Publicado: 3/2/2021