Israel Cedeño: daily COVID-19 cases unlikely to go down
The director of the Metropolitan Health Region, Israel Cedeño, announced this Friday that it is very likely that in the next few days the daily number of new cases of coronavirus will not drop below 500.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health (Minsa) reflect that June is the month in which the pandemic has hit the country the most with 15,574 cases, with five daily reports on the progress of the virus remaining.
Cedeño said that it is likely that in the next few days there will be more than 500 cases per day, because three weeks ago they began taking rapid samples. The results are in 30 minutes and more cases per day are being confirmed.
Three weeks ago what we reported day by day was the group of cases of samples taken two or three days; then the cases of the regular tests were being added, in addition we are adding all the rapid tests that we do per day and for that reason then we are finding more [cases], which is positive because finding the cases gives us chance to contain the virus better, Cedeño said.
Yesterday, Thursday, a record of daily cases was recorded when 1,007 were reported and Panama accumulated 29,037 infections since March 9, when the first case was announced.
Cedeño's statements were given to Telemetro during a tour of various sectors of eastern Panama that have a high incidence of Covid-19; between the townships of Tocumen, December 24, Pedregal and Pacora.
When asked about the opening of the third block of economic activities, Cedeño estimated that for the Ministry to give its approval, the number of cases and a sustained daily statistic must be manageable, because we know that at this time there will not be decrease in daily cases.
According to Cedeño, the behavior of the population will be an important factor, in evaluating the timing for the third block opening. They need to verify that the public is well aware of the use of the masks and that they are collaborating.
Cedeño said that it is likely that in the next few days there will be more than 500 cases per day, because three weeks ago they began taking rapid samples. The results are in 30 minutes and more cases per day are being confirmed.
Three weeks ago what we reported day by day was the group of cases of samples taken two or three days; then the cases of the regular tests were being added, in addition we are adding all the rapid tests that we do per day and for that reason then we are finding more [cases], which is positive because finding the cases gives us chance to contain the virus better, Cedeño said.
Yesterday, Thursday, a record of daily cases was recorded when 1,007 were reported and Panama accumulated 29,037 infections since March 9, when the first case was announced.
Cedeño's statements were given to Telemetro during a tour of various sectors of eastern Panama that have a high incidence of Covid-19; between the townships of Tocumen, December 24, Pedregal and Pacora.
When asked about the opening of the third block of economic activities, Cedeño estimated that for the Ministry to give its approval, the number of cases and a sustained daily statistic must be manageable, because we know that at this time there will not be decrease in daily cases.
According to Cedeño, the behavior of the population will be an important factor, in evaluating the timing for the third block opening. They need to verify that the public is well aware of the use of the masks and that they are collaborating.