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Peru: Health Min urges citizens not to lower guard even if COVID-19 cases, deaths down

Photo: ANDINA/Presidency of the Council of Ministers

01:00 | Lima, May. 23.

Peruvian Health Minister Oscar Ugarte has requested the population not to lower the guard against COVID-19 even if positive cases and deaths decline, saying that "as long as there is a virus circulating and an unprotected population, there will be a new wave."

The Cabinet member reminded citizens that in several countries of the world —even developed ones— third and even fourth waves have been registered.

"Being aware that a decrease in the second wave is starting, we will not lower our guard. That is our main message to the population. We must not lower our guard despite the fact that cases and even deaths are declining," he expressed.

"What does a third wave depend on?" the minister asked himself and then responded: "the fact that the virus is circulating in society and that it does exist, even more so through different variants; and the other factor is that there is an unprotected population who does not have either coverage or defenses against the virus."

The Government, he indicated, is working with emphasis on the immunization against the coronavirus

to avoid that eventuality.

"If the majority of the population gets vaccinated, that third wave will be small," he pointed out.

Moreover, the minister reminded reporters that total protection —known as herd immunity— is only achieved once between 75% and 80% of the population has been vaccinated.

"(...) we are starting this process and we must move forward," Ugarte noted.

"A third wave risk exists; what does it depend on? On us, that we continue to protect ourselves and participate in the great national vaccination campaign," he added.

Remarks were made from Lima's Barranco district, where he oversaw the vaccination of people aged above 65 on Saturday. As usual, the health sector's head was joined by Prime Minister Violeta Bermudez.

It must be noted that over 3 million vaccine doses against coronavirus have been administered in Peru thru Saturday afternoon.

Earlier this week, the Council of Ministers approved an Urgency Decree which raises the current budget of the Comprehensive Health Insurance (SIS) by S/250 million (about US$66.74 million) in order to serve the very poor population suffering from COVID-19, whose members do not have health insurance.

Esta mañana, desde el Estadio Luis Gálvez Chipoco en Barranco, el ministro Óscar Ugarte, junto con la titular de la @pcmperu, Violeta Bermúdez, supervisaron la vacunación contra la COVID-19 a los adultos mayores de 65 años de Lima y Callao. #PongoElHombro ???? pic.twitter.com/qblqFpQlPX
— Ministerio de Salud (@Minsa_Peru) May 22, 2021

Hoy supervisamos la jornada de vacunación en el Callao. Con esto superamos los tres millones de dosis aplicadas en nuestro país y hemos crecido en capacidad de vacunación. Ayer se vacunó a más de 93 mil personas, la cifra más alta registrada en un día. @Minsa_Peru pic.twitter.com/mrfOPpz4Zg
— Oscar Ugarte Ubilluz (@ougarteu) May 22, 2021

(END) RRC/MVB

Published: 5/23/2021

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Peru: Health Min urges citizens not to lower guard even if COVID-19 cases, deaths down

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