Andina

Peru: Fin Min delivered over 3,000 rapid tests to Apurimac

11:59 | Abancay (Apurimac region), May. 20.

Economy and Finance Minister Maria Antonieta Alva brought 3,625 covid-19 rapid diagnostic tests to Apurimac region, where she met with Governor Baltazar Lantaron to articulate efforts under the containment plan to tackle the novel coronavirus in said region.


The gathering was held Tuesday at the Regional Government's headquarters in the presence of the Covid-19 Operations Command regional team and Apurimac provincial mayors.

They addressed covid-19 mitigation and contingency-related issues, the resumption of health infrastructure projects, and the economic revival in the region, especially of the agricultural sector, which constitutes Apurimac's main economic activity.

After thanking the personal delivery of such an important batch of tests, the Governor noted that —thanks to the joint work with the Executive Branch and local authorities, as well as the population's support for prevention measures—Apurimac has become the region with the lowest number of infected people in Peru, with 113 positive cases reported as at May 20. 

In addition, 53 patients have been discharged and declared healthy, while 2 people died from the disease.

The regional authority reported that the S/1.7 million (around US$495,626) budget —earmarked by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) to deal with the covid-19 pandemic— has been invested in the adaptation and equipment of the covid-19 referral hospital in Andahuaylas.

Additionally, part of such budget was used to hire additional personnel and improve the first-level health care.

(END) NDP/LZD/MAO/RMB/MVB

Published: 5/20/2020