During the past epidemiological week (June 12-18), 10,826 new coronavirus cases were registered, a figure higher than that reported in the previous week (7,457 infected citizens), revealed a report by the
's (EsSalud) Intelligence and Data Analysis Unit (UIAD).
He noted that there have been almost 1.2 million new cases so far this year.
During the past epidemiological week, cases went up in 12 regions —being Lima and Arequipa the areas that registered the highest increases with 4,882 and 750 infections, respectively.
Ancash, Cusco, Junin, Moquegua, Piura, Tacna, Ica, Cajamarca, Lambayeque, and Pasco are other regions that reported increases in SARS-CoV-2 cases.
Similarly, infections went up in 36 districts of Lima Metropolitan Area and Callao region. Among the capital city's districts that registered the most infections were: Santiago de Surco (+930), Miraflores (+608), La Molina (+428), San Borja (+480), Jesus Maria (+445), Magdalena del Mar (+264), Surquillo (+274), and San Juan de Lurigancho (+114).
Hospitalizations
Since the third wave's peak (6,867 hospital beds), there has been a decrease in hospitalized patients for 16 weeks in a row.
"During the past week, an average of 742 people hospitalized for COVID-19 were recorded in health subsystems," he specified.
Concerning the occupation of ICU beds, he indicated that the past week an average of 143 critical patients in ICU beds were registered —9 times less than the maximum recorded this year (1,358 ICU beds).
Deaths
The EsSalud spokesperson explained that this decrease in weekly deaths goes on —after the third wave's peak.
During the past week, there were 70 passings due to the dreaded disease —23 less than the amount reported over the previous week.
Given the increase in cases, Pillaca called on the population to complete the vaccination schedule and continue wearing facemasks, washing their hands, and maintaining social distancing so as to prevent serious illness and the need for ICUs.
Also, in case of any symptoms, people should maintain biosafety measures in force.
"The increase in infections is mainly due to the perception of the absence of risk of getting sick, decreased self-care, as well as the appearance of more Omicron subvariants, among other factors," the EsSalud official asserted.
"We must not let our guard down; we must get vaccinated and continue complying with biosafety measures," he concluded.