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Peru's Health Min: COVID-19 figures are going down, but we can't be overconfident

Peruvian Health Minister Pilar Mazzetti addresses reporters at a press conference. Photo: ANDINA/Minsa

Peruvian Health Minister Pilar Mazzetti addresses reporters at a press conference. Photo: ANDINA/Minsa

16:14 | Lima, Sep. 3.

Health Minister Pilar Mazzetti on Thursday affirmed that the numbers of COVID-19-related deaths and infections are decreasing slightly in Peru.

Nonetheless, she said, it does not mean that people can lower their guard because that downward trend could change at any time.


The Cabinet member said that this decrease responds to the fact that people are taking care of themselves and complying with the health regulations established by authorities, adding that citizens must continue doing so.

"The virus is circulating among us, it is still with us (...). The only way to reverse the situation is by all of us becoming vaccinated so that we can indeed rely on the defenses (against the infection)," she noted.

Along these lines, the high-ranking official reminded citizens that an infected person, who does not have any COVID-19 symptoms, can also infect others.

Dr. Mazzetti explained that COVID-19 detection tests are conducted on people with symptoms and their contacts, in accordance with the recommendations of all international health organizations.

She explained that if a person tests positive for COVID-19, the health strategy establishes that indications must be given to the whole family even if they do not have symptoms.

Remarks were made during a press conference in Lima. On the occasion, Minister Mazzetti was joined by Deputy Public Health Minister Luis Suarez. 

(END) LIT/MVB

Published: 9/3/2020