              
              Spanish Version
            
                    search
                    close

Peru's Health Min: The current outbreak could be an announcement of COVID-19 second wave

Photo: ANDINA/Ministry of Health of Peru

14:18 | Lima, Jan. 5.

Health Minister Pilar Mazzetti on Tuesday warned that the "very particular outbreak" of COVID-19 cases in some areas of the country could be the announcement of the second wave of infections in Peru.

In her virtual presentation before Congress' Special COVID-19 Commission, the minister pointed out that in recent weeks a greater number of patients has been observed requiring Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds and mechanical ventilation —in many cases because they were looking for medical help late.

Likewise, the Cabinet member said that the new coronavirus variant found in England "is a real danger" because it is very contagious, adding that —although it has not been so far found in Peru— it is best to think "that we are going to get it."

"I understand that the population is overwhelmed by everything and that there are economic needs, but there must be an economic reactivation while protecting the health. The new variant is a real danger, and this particular outbreak that we are witnessing in our country may be announcing that we could experience a second wave," she specified.

However, the high-ranking official projected that the second wave would not be like in Europe, where infections skyrocket rapidly.

According to Dr. Mazzetti, "we will probably be witnessing something slower due to the country's geographical characteristics, the climate, or other factors (...)."

"The fact that we are in summer helps us, but even so we must remain vigilant. When it comes to health, no precautions are unnecessary," she added.

Regarding the variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the

minister said that so far neither the British nor the South African mutation has been found in the national territory.

"This does not mean that we do not have it, because it is already in Chile and is highly infectious. Normally, one patient infects other three, but with the new variant he/she can infect six or seven people. That is why we must consider that we are going to have it in the country," Dr. Mazzetti expressed.

Therefore, despite the exhaustion and saturation as a result of the pandemic, the Peruvian population must continue standing and complying with prevention measures, such as the use of face masks, constant hand washing, physical distancing, and allowing air circulation whenever there are several people in the same place, she concluded.

(END) RRC/MVB

Published: 1/5/2021

Video más visto

Peru's Health Min: The current outbreak could be an announcement of COVID-19 second wave

Most read