Andina

Peru President: There is a downward trend in coronavirus cases

13:10 | Lima, Apr. 13.

President Martin Vizcarra on Monday afternoon asserted that there is a downward trend in COVID-19 cases in Peru and indicated that the rate of patients hospitalized for this disease has fallen from 22% to 14%.

Within this framework, the Head of State affirmed that the confirmed coronavirus cases currently amount to 9,784 —out of a total of 87,116 samples taken.

901 patients are hospitalized, of whom 143 are in ICUs with mechanical ventilation.

The other 77,332 people tested negative.

Likewise, the top official underlined that —last week— the number of tests increased significantly to better identify the areas where virus is located.

In this sense, the statesman stressed that last Monday 20,414 samples were taken and —over the course of a week— the amount tripled to reach 67,000, which led to an increase in the number of positive cases, as the amount of samples are larger, of course.

Downward trend

However, the President noted that the rate in the number of new COVID-19 cases went down from 21% to 20%.

"Despite the fact that the absolute number of positive cases has increased due to the number of samples, the trend tends to decrease, as shown in the specific cases of hospitalized patients," he indicated.

The Head of State explained that —two weeks ago— the rate of patients, who were hospitalized for coronavirus, used to grow on a daily basis by 22%.

"In the evaluation made until yesterday by the team of experts (from the Ministry of Health), the daily rate of hospitalized citizens, who have been affected by COVID-19, has decreased from 22% to 14%. Thus, there is a decrease in hospitalization cases," he underlined.

In addition, President Vizcarra reported that the daily rate of patients in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) also fell from 22% to 17%.

"That means the curve starts to look for the horizontal trend (…)," he emphasized.

Moreover, he pointed out that this same downward trend behavior was recorded in the rate of deaths, which has decreased from 29% to 14%.



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

Monday marks the twenty-ninth day of mandatory social isolation.

(END) CVC/MVB

Published: 4/13/2020