Coronavirus

Half of countries with “sustained” Covid-19 transmission are in the Americas

covid-19 in the americas

According to the World Health Organization, at least half of the 24 countries where the coronavirus spread has reached the level of sustained transmission are located in the Americas. This list includes Brazil. 

“Sustained transmission” is considered the final phase of the virus’ spread, when the source of contamination is unknown. 

Besides Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and the U.S. are also unable to track contamination paths. The continent is home to 35 percent of the world’s cases and around 22 percent of deaths.

How strict has Latin America been with restrictive measures_

Specialists point to the lack of effective public health policies and health professionals as two major reasons for the uncontrolled spread in the Americas. Underreporting is also an issue in the region, as many countries cannot afford to employ mass testing. As of Wednesday, over 85 percent of Central American countries had reported fewer than 100 cases. And around 94 percent of the reported deaths were concentrated in three American nations.

In partnership with Argentina-based publication Diálogo Chino, The Brazilian Report has shown that Latin America has relied on Chinese aid to fight Covid-19.