MEXICO CITY, Nov 16 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) – Mexico reported 5,860 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the national count to 1,003,253, the health ministry said.
Meanwhile, 635 more deaths were reported, bringing the death toll to 98,259, which ranks fourth worldwide, following the United States, Brazil and India.
The Mexican authorities said, the real number of infections is likely significantly higher than the reported confirmed cases.
The northern state of Durangoa and neighbouring state Chihuahua, have been put on the highest level of alert in a bid to contain the recent spike in the north of the country, according to the health ministry.
Except for the two northern states, most of Mexico’s 32 regions are currently at the lower orange or yellow alert levels.
Mexican epidemiologist, Malaquias Lopez Cervantes, called the situation in the country “serious,” saying, it is necessary to review the current health model, in order to take measures, such as case tracking, to avoid further infections.
He also expressed his concern for the future, as a “period of resurgence” of cases, in almost half of the country is predicted, in the coming months.
“The important thing is to protect the Mexican population, a society worn out by prolonged confinement and, due to the ineffectiveness of the health model, will reach the end of this year with more deaths.”
Lopez Cervantes said, it is important for the government to focus on improving primary care, to guarantee access and coverage for COVID-19 and other problems that are affecting Mexicans.
Due to the pandemic, Mexico, the second largest economy in Latin America after Brazil, is facing a record economic decline of nine percent for 2020, according to the International Monetary Fund.– NNN-PRENSA LATINA
