With 2,388 new infections of COVID-19, Panama reaches a total of 173,607 cases
It was highlighted that in the last hours there were 13 deaths due to Covid-19.
In Panama, 150,051 patients recovered from the virus are counted. While active cases total 20,402.
With the new positive cases in the country, there are already 173,607 people infected with Covid-19.
According to the Minsa, 13,402 tests were applied this Friday, for a positivity percentage of 17.8%.
With the new deaths registered in the country there are 3,154 accumulated deaths and a case fatality of 1.8%.
In home isolation, meanwhile, 19,157 people are reported, of which 18,506 are in their homes and 651 in so-called hospital hotels.
The hospitalized number 1,245, of them 1,089 are in a ward and 156 in the intensive care units in various medical centers in the country.
NOTE:
Some observers have argued that the Minsa reported case fatality rate (number of COVID linked deaths / number of known cases) in reality should be much lower, as the number of reported cases does not necessarily reflect the truth, as the testing does not cover the whole population, and many cases go undetected. At the same time, the government can't report what they don't know, but readers should note that the numbers may tell a different story from the reality.
Also, how a "COVID death" is counted is also unclear, as many of the deaths correspond to underlying previous conditions, such as cancer, blood diseases, other age related diseases etc., and are reported as COVID deaths since the patient also had the coronavirus. On the other hand, many viruses are known to lower the patient's immunity and expose them to other diseases. As an example most HIV/AIDS patients don't die from the virus itself, but from other derived diseases such as pneumonia or regular flu.
There have also been reports on the inaccuracy of the PCR test, which would highly compromise any figures mentioned above.
In lack of better information sources, PanaTimes continues to report the government (Minsa) announced figures. Readers are adviced to use their own judgement.