Peru is experiencing an outbreak of positive COVID-19 cases and a third wave of infections is very likely to occur in the following days,
has warned.
"Let's see what happens after the holidays. We hope the cases will not increase sharply to say we are already facing a third wave," the minister remarked.
"There is no doubt, however, that cases are on the rise. There is a new outbreak of COVID-19, and we are very likely to face a third wave in a few more days," he added.
Cevallos confirmed that the number of Omicron cases in Peru has increased to 309 and that this variant will continue to spread throughout the country.
"Thousands of samples are being processed at the National Health Institute (INS), as well as at private laboratories. We are processing twice as many samples as we processed four to five months ago. Nearly 14,000 samples a day are being processed in the country," he stated.
Vaccination of children aged 5-11
On the other hand, the high-ranking official reported that the first batch of doses of Pfizer vaccines for children ages 5 to 11 will arrive in Peru between January 17 and 18.
"The laboratory has already confirmed this, and they (the doses) will be delivered in several batches. This will allow us to start the vaccination process all over the country after January 18 —24 to 48 hours later," he explained.
Remarks were made on Sunday during his visit to Santa Rosa Hospital in Piura region.