Andina

Peru's Health Min: Lima center registers most deaths in second COVID-19 wave

Photo: ANDINA/Diffusion

Photo: ANDINA/Diffusion

17:17 | Lima, Feb. 19.

The districts located in the central area of Metropolitan Lima register the highest number of deaths during the second coronavirus wave, Health Minister Oscar Ugarte reported on Friday.

In his virtual presentation before Congress, the minister showed various graphs featuring the death curves in the center, northern, southern, and eastern zones of the capital city.

"All districts in central, northern, southern, and eastern Lima have similar curves in terms of trend (of deaths), but central Lima leads the growth, which is higher and a very important indicator to fine-tune the Government's strategies," he indicated.

Likewise, the high-ranking official showed an image confirming that Metropolitan Lima has already exceeded the number of COVID-19-related deaths if compared to the first wave of the pandemic.

"In Lima, the deaths have already exceeded those of the first wave; this is happening now; a turning point has not been achieved yet, and we hope that these can be lowered (...)," he added.

Regarding mortality in regions, the Cabinet member mentioned that the composition of graphs has changed in relation to the first wave.

"Although the central coast (Lima, Callao, and Ica) continues to lead in mortality (rates), the central Highlands (Huanuco, Pasco, Junin, Huancavelica, Ayacucho, and Apurimac) have also become a worrying component due to the high number of cases. The data will also help us focus the resources," he mentioned.

Hospital and home deaths

Moreover, Minister Ugarte explained that 87% of suspected deaths from COVID-19 occur in hospitals, while 13% happen at patients' homes.

"There are 13% of people who die at home, and it (the rate) is growing. This is essential to explain why the strategies will prioritize, as it is already being done, the primary care and the community care," he stressed.

(END) RRC/MVB

Published: 2/19/2021