PAHO: Covid cases “continue to rise” in Latin America

A woman helping her husband put on a face mask in Rosario, Argentina. Photo: Wirestock Creators

A report by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says Latin America witnessed a sharp growth of Covid infections during the month of May, with confirmed cases jumping by more than 27 percent by the middle of the month – totaling more than 918,000 cases.

Once again, PAHO Director Carissa F. Etienne requested local administrations “to increase surveillance, public health measures, and vaccination,” especially since only 14 of the 51 countries in the Americas have topped the 70-percent mark of vaccinated people.

PAHO adds that “countries must also maintain investments in ICU and hospital capacity so that services can be quickly scaled up to meet a potential surge in new infections.”

“We have sufficient doses to cover those most at risk, and we have an obligation to do so,” Ms. Etienne said.

The Covid surge has been particularly high in Argentina, where cases have nearly doubled in recent weeks. In Chile, the government raised Covid alert levels in capital Santiago and other key districts — officials believe the next infection peak will come in July. The Chilean Health Ministry added that the government will make a decision on whether to give a third booster shot to senior citizens by June.

Lucas Berti

Lucas Berti covers international affairs — specialized in Latin American politics and markets. He has been published by Opera Mundi, Revista VIP, and The Intercept Brasil, among others.