Statistics from the Ministry of Health (Minsa) reveal that last month it closed with 24% more cases than June, but at the same time 1.1 million doses of anticovid vaccines were applied, representing 40% of the total placed up to the date.

Eduardo Ortega, advisor to the Panama Covid-19 Vaccine Research Consortium, described the month as "positive", because despite the cases, there is a plateau with a downward trend in recent weeks. He stressed, however, that if the Delta variant enters, a fourth wave of infections could occur.

This epidemiological week, which passed between July 25 and 31, there were 6,572 new cases, 553 less than the previous week.

40% of the doses applied in the country were supplied in July

July was one of the months of 2021 with the most eventualities around the Covid-19 pandemic. During its 31 days, there was a high incidence of new cases and it was also the time when more doses of vaccines were administered throughout the country.

The number of deaths remained stable, but more information appeared on the Delta variant, which, according to scientists, entering the country could cause a fourth wave of new cases due to its high transmission rate.

Eduardo Ortega, advisor to the Panama Covid-19 Vaccine Research Consortium, defines July as a “positive” month so far in 2021. He pointed out the reasons: first, because large quantities of vaccines arrived; then, because it was shown that the country could administer them, and finally, because society opted to go and get vaccinated.

He also referred to the fact that the case curve flattened and, for the moment, a plateau is observed, with a tendency to a slight reduction in new infections in the last two epidemiological weeks.

Statistical reports from the Ministry of Health (Minsa) provide an idea of ​​how the virus behaved during July. At first glance, the reports specify that there were more than 31,000 cases that month, 20% more than in June when there were 26,000 infections.

So far in 2021, only January has surpassed July in new infections. At that time, when the country was facing a second wave, 73 thousand cases were registered.

Regarding deaths, an average of almost 9 deaths a day was reported in July, also much more than in June, when the average was about six deaths a day, although less than those reported in January and February.

At the end of June and the beginning of July, authorities such as the Minister of Health, Luis Francisco Sucre, announced that the country was facing a third wave, for which it was necessary to be prepared.

Downward trend

Ortega stressed that, despite the July cases, in the last two weeks a decrease in infections has been noted, although it would be necessary to wait 15 more days to better decipher the behavior of Covid-19.

To get an idea of ​​what was raised by the scientist, during the epidemiological week that elapsed between July 18 and 24, 7,125 new cases of Covid-19 were reported, 373 fewer infections than the previous week - between 11 and on July 17—, when there were 7,498 new cases. That equates to 5% less.

This epidemiological week, which elapsed between July 25 and 31, it is estimated that the decrease will be 10% compared to the previous one.

“There is a downward trend in new cases per week and, if we are able to maintain the same measure, we would be fine in the coming weeks. However, if the Delta variant enters the country, we would have a fourth wave very similar to the second, which occurred between November and January . We hope that August will be better ”, warned the also head of the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation.

According to the public health specialist Jorge Luis Prosperi, both the cases and deaths reported per million inhabitants showed a clear decrease and that, together with the intense vaccination campaign, has been marking a good way to regain control of the epidemic .

“Although we are a long way from reaching the 75% needed to achieve herd immunity to help us control the epidemic, we are making rapid progress. On the other hand, it is still vitally important that all citizens do our part, with renewed citizen discipline, avoiding falling into the so-called pandemic fatigue, "he added.

Like Ortega, he recalled that the Delta variant is circulating in Costa Rica and Colombia, countries bordering Panama, which makes the arrival of this variant in Panama imminent. His message was clear: only mass vaccination will protect us.

Right now, Minsa's strategy is to apply the vaccine to all people over 16 years of age and adolescents between 12 and 15 years of age with chronic diseases and certified disability.

Vaccination

The statistics detail that in July 1 million 19 thousand 515 doses were applied, out of a total of 2 million 573 thousand 226. That is equivalent to 40% of the doses that the Expanded Program of Immunization of the Minsa has placed since last January 20, when the vaccination process started in the country.

Those same data suggest that, as of yesterday, at least 44% of the population had received a dose of the anticovid vaccine.

The Health Director of the San Miguelito Region, Yaritzel Ríos, reported that more than 80 thousand doses of Pfizer / BioNTech have been applied through the sweep strategy so far this day of immunization in circuit 8-6.

"People have attended in a responsible and orderly manner the vaccination centers that correspond to them," said Ríos, who added that immunizing more than 148,000 people is the objective in the 19 points set up within this district.

“Since we started this vaccination, which was for adults over 60 years of age, we have immunized a large population. Then, we vaccinated with AstraZeneca and people with disabilities, and we have managed to reach approximately the number of vaccinated 130 thousand people ”, he highlighted.

The governor of Panama Oeste, Sindy Smith, stressed that 72 thousand 432 doses have been applied in three days. Vaccination in this area, which includes Arraiján, continues until Sunday and 14 immunization centers are enabled.

This week it is also being vaccinated in circuits in the provinces of Chiriquí, Coclé, Veraguas and Darién.

On the other hand, the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo, reported that they expect to apply in the first week of August about 429 thousand new doses, also with the sweep mode.

At regional level

The director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Carissa F. Etienne, said that Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador and Paraguay are among the countries with the highest weekly mortality rates in the world.

Etienne explained that the Mexican states of Baja California Sur, Quintana Roo and Yucatán are reporting an increase in new infections. In the case of Central America, he pointed out that cases are accelerating in Guatemala and continue to be high in Panama.

"Cuba is experiencing the highest rates of infection and deaths from Covid-19 than at any time during the pandemic, and all age groups are being affected," said the PAHO director.

In Etienne's words, as infections increase, our region has not yet had access to the vaccines it needs to keep our populations safe.

"So far, only 16.6% of the population of Latin America and the Caribbean has completed their vaccination schedule," he concluded.

Graph source: Worldometer