Andina

Peru President: Decrease in Rt factor across 16 regions helps contain pandemic

13:50 | Lima, Jul. 8.

Rt factor —which measures the average number of people one confirmed case will infect— stands at less than 1 in 16 out of the 25 regions across the country, which constitutes a major step forward in the containment of the pandemic, Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra affirmed on Wednesday.

According to the Head of State, said information was contained in the latest technical report issued by the Ministry of Health (Minsa), which keeps track of the disease.

"Today, as every week, the professional technical team of the Ministry of Health informed us of the pandemic's evolution in our country, and showed us, one by one, the curve evolution in the 25 regions across the country," the statesman said in an address to the nation during a recess of the Council of Ministers session.

"It provided us scientific information that suggests the Rt factor, or infection factor, stands at less than 1 in 16 out of the 25 regions," he added.

Peru's top official warned the population that this step forward does not mean citizens can lower the guard against the novel coronavirus, but —on the contrary— "we have to further enhance the health system's response capacity at the national and regional levels."

"We are concerned about the nine regions where Rt factor stands at more than 1, thus expecting its reduction, as well as those where Rt factor is less than 1, hoping it will not rise again. Carelessness brings the curve up, and that is what we have to avoid," he added.

Remarks were made in a televised address to the nation during the state of national emergency against coronavirus in Peru.


Initially set to last from March 16 to 30, the nationwide quarantine came to an end on June 30.

On this occasion, the President was joined by members of the Council of Ministers. The event was held at the Government Palace in Lima.

(END) LZD/RMB/MVB

Published: 7/8/2020