The main shopping areas in Lima —such as Mesa Redonda and the Central Market— have become the new sources of coronavirus contagion by registering at least 300 cases in a radius of one kilometer and a half, the Social Health Insurance System's (EsSalud) Heat Map revealed on Tuesday.
When presenting the latest figures,
EsSalud Executive-President Fiorella Molinelli affirmed that the best gift for Christmas and New Year holidays is to "give life" and "have our family members healthy." Therefore, she suggested citizens not to go en masse to shopping areas.
Likewise, the official explained that more than 260 infections were registered in the areas near Aventura Plaza at Santa Anita Mall and Yerbateros Bus Terminal, while 230 new cases were detected within a kilometer and a half from Lima's Wholesale Market, Producers Market, and Real Plaza.
Also in the vicinity of Mall Sur and Open Plaza Atocongo shopping centers, 210 cases were detected per kilometer and a half around. Finally, in the vicinity of Mega Plaza and Plaza Norte, 140 cases were detected.
"It (a regrowth) is inevitable at this point, even more so with citizens' behavior," she assured reporters.
She also reported that —through the medical brigades— EsSalud will
conduct preventive screening nationwide with rapid and molecular tests to detect infected people early and provide timely treatment.
Currently, 75% of the 700 ICU beds geared for COVID-19 cases are already occupied.