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Health Min: Peru better prepared to face eventual third COVID-19 wave

01:00 | Lima, Jul. 23.

Peru is in better conditions to face an eventual third COVID-19 wave as it has strengthened care at health centers, as well as increased the amount of equipment and human resources, Health Minister Oscar Ugarte has reported.

The minister underlined the measures taken by his sector to improve health services, adding that a third wave is a latent risk that the country faces.

Likewise, the Cabinet member highlighted the reopening of more than 7,000 primary care level centers —closed during the first wave— the increase in the number of hospital and ICU beds, as well as the supply of oxygen, among the most important measures that have been strengthened.

"The risk of a third wave is latent. So, in order to face it, we have taken measures that have enhanced health services and hospital care," the high-ranking official commented.

The head of Minsa referred to the reopening of 7,748 primary care level facilities, which were closed during the first wave, as well as their improved diagnostic capabilities and the increase in screening tests to ensure early detection of cases.

Additionally, the Transition and Emergency Government has managed to conduct 979,948 molecular and 1,436,986 antigen tests.

Moreover, the Cabinet member affirmed that the reopened healthcare centers are already prepared to conduct home clinical monitoring. In fact, between January and June this year, one million home visits were carried out across the country, as well as 1.8 million remote consultations.

To Ugarte, the rise in the number of hospital and ICU beds, as well as a better distribution in the implementation of care and temporary isolation centers, prepares Peru in the face of an eventual third COVID-19 wave.

Without a doubt, the supply of oxygen is the most important legacy of the current health administration, since the number of oxygen plants set up in the country went from 63 in November 2020 to 306 at the time it leaves office, he stated.

Remarks were made at the Transfer with Transparency press conference held at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM) on Thursday.

As is known, President Francisco Sagasti's administration —which took office in November 2020 to lead the Transition and Emergency Government— is set to leave office on July 28, 2021.

Titular del @Minsa_Peru: La primera ola del #COVID19 empezó en marzo del 2020 y decayó hacia setiembre. A partir de octubre y noviembre inicia el recrudecimiento y la segunda ola que ha sido más grande e intensa. Ahora estamos en el punto más bajo de decrecimiento. pic.twitter.com/vdQvZ60juM
— Consejo de Ministros (@pcmperu) July 22, 2021

Titular del @Minsa_Peru: El personal del primer nivel de atención realizó seguimiento clínico a 1 000 000 de personas en su domicilio y a 1 800 000 personas a distancia. #TransferenciaConTransparencia
— Consejo de Ministros (@pcmperu) July 22, 2021

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Published: 7/23/2021

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Health Min: Peru better prepared to face eventual third COVID-19 wave

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