Another 152 new cases and 10 coronavirus-related deaths were reported Thursday in Yucatan. Despite the high number of new infections, the second-highest so far in a 24-hour period, hospitalizations in the state increased by just three.
That brings to 3,705 the number infections found in the state since the crisis began, with nearly 72% of patients recovering, including 95 more in the last 24 hours.
Data used to measure Yucatan’s ability to move forward with an economic reopening allows the state to continue under the “orange” signal that ushered in the first wave in easing public restrictions, said state Health Secretary Mauricio Sauri Vivas.
Of patients receiving coronavirus tests, 41% are found to have the virus, slightly more than the 38.2% national average. ICU beds, occupied at only 23%, were also sufficient to stay in the “orange” alert, despite recent drastic increases in daily infections.
As Yucatan counted 100 days after quarantine began, officials left open the possibility of reverting to the “red signal,” reversing and halting Yucatan’s economic recovery, if available beds become scarce. The ban on alcohol could also return if the public is seen ignoring basic protocols, the governor has warned.
A 46-year-old Tixkokob woman with a medical history of immunosuppression was the youngest to die. An 85-year-old Timucuy man who also had chronic kidney failure and hypertension was the oldest. The average age of the victims was 60.
Active cases include 518 patients in stable condition and at home and 222 in the hospital.
The new cases included 73 in Merida; 23 in Valladolid; seven in Uman; six both in Kanasín and from outside the state or country; four in Hunucmá, Ticul and Tizimín; three in Acanceh and Progreso; two in Hoctún, Izamal and Tekax; and one each in Akil, Cuzamá, Dzilam González, Espita, Hocabá, Kaua, Mama, Motul, Muna, Oxkutzcab, Samahil, Tetiz and Yaxcabá.
Two IMSS Yucatán workers were mourned today when their deaths by COVID-19 were announced. Families of a surgical specialist nurse at the Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad and a warehouse coordinator at Hospital General Regional No. 1 were sent condolences by colleagues.
{ Related: Employees at a Merida public hospital protest inferior PPE }
Across Mexico
The country’s numbers continue to rise at near-record rates. Mexico currently has about 196,847 confirmed coronavirus cases and has reported over 24,300 deaths.
Arturo Herrera, Mexico’s treasury secretary, said Thursday he tested positive for the coronavirus and will self-isolate while working from home.
On Monday, Herrera was in close contact with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who refuses to use a face mask and has resumed public tours across Mexico.
Herrera is the country’s highest-ranking Cabinet member to be infected so far. Several state governors have also acknowledged testing positive for coronavirus.
