Andina

Peru: 7 temporary hospitals being set up in Arequipa, Ancash, Piura, Ucayali and Cusco

09:49 | Lima, Jun. 11.

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) is working on the implementation of 7 temporary hospitals in Arequipa, Piura, Cusco, Ucayali, and Ancash regions, which will add 746 beds in the coming days to support the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Minsa, through the National Health Investment Program (Pronis), sent technical equipment to said regions to supervise the installation of the infrastructure, which will help increase the hospital capacity.

The health facilities will be equipped with x-rays, portable ultrasound scanners, defibrillators, among other medical instruments needed to cope with the pandemic.

Three temporary hospitals are being installed in Arequipa region. "In total, 346 beds will be added (46 for the intensive care unit) to provide care for COVID-19 patients," Pronis General Coordinator Fredy Jordan said.

A temporary facility with 100 beds is being installed in an open space of Goyeneche Hospital, while in the case of Honorio Delgado, two temporary hospitals are being implemented there: one for 200 hospital beds and the other for 46 ICU beds.

Likewise, the Honorio Delgado ICU temporary hospital will be fully equipped. "If there are no setbacks, works at the three temporary facilities will be completed soon," he said.

Meanwhile, in Piura region, Pronis will set up a temporary hospital with 100 fully equipped beds at Campeones del 36 Stadium in Sullana province.

In the same way, a new health center is being installed in an open space of Cusco's Regional Hospital, which will include 100 beds for COVID-19 patients.

Similar works are being carried out at the Yarinacocha fairground in Pucallpa (Ucayali region), which will provide 100 hospital beds.

On the other hand, a temporary facility is being set up at Eleazar Guzman Barron Hospital, in Chimbote (Ancash region). "In total, 100 beds will be added for COVID-19 patients," Jordan stated.

Invisible and deadly enemy

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) or the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). These viruses can be transmitted between animals and people.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain that had not been previously identified in humans. It is transmitted from human to human through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. COVID-19 is also transmitted by close contact with people infected by the virus.

(END) NDP/LIQ/JOT/RMB/MVB

Published: 6/11/2020