The number of COVID-19 cases, of hospitalized and ICU patients, and deaths per day has decreased in the rainforest
Loreto region, Dean of Loreto College of Physicians Luis Runciman has affirmed.
"The alarming number of coronavirus positive cases a few weeks ago has decreased significantly since —based on epidemiological theories— we know that the number of deaths and hospitalized cases begins to decrease once the affected population has accounted for more than 60% of the total," he told Radio Nacional.
Regarding "herd immunity," he explained that —in order to demonstrate that the population or most of those infected have acquired immunity— people have to undergo rapid or molecular tests, as well as the antibody screening, to determine how many of them have developed antibodies, but this has not been possible.
"In theory, the majority of Loreto people have contracted the disease, due to the epidemiological curve experienced in recent weeks, but we still cannot reliably demonstrate that the population has developed immunity," Runciman remarked.
In the next few days, he said,
Loreto has to remain on alert at both (primary) care and hospital levels, because new coronavirus cases and patients needing mechanical ventilation may continue to emerge, "but we want the curve to continue to drop."
Deceased doctors
As for the situation of doctors in the region, Runciman reported that more than 250 doctors have been infected, while
22 have died.
The remainder are still getting over the disease, and most of them have not developed antibodies yet. Some continue to test positive and —therefore— cannot return to work.
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Published: 6/11/2020