278 New Deaths and 2,112 More Positive Cases

The Ministry of Health reported 278 new deaths from COVID-19 and 2,112 more cases than yesterday and another 535 suspicious deaths recorded. Deputy Minister Hugo López-Gatell explained that among suspicious deaths are cases of people who died but samples were not taken from them given that the virus evolves so quickly.

López-Gatell said that the Valley of Mexico is in the highest point of the epidemic’s curve and lamented that the relaxation of measures could cause a spike in infections. “In Mexico City we have the impression that there was a relaxation in social distancing measures and a greater amount of both pedestrian and car traffic was seen,” he said.

As of Saturday, May 16

2,112     new cases (from yesterday)

47,144   confirmed cases nationwide

29,409   under investigation

5,045     deaths

High income will benefit from USMCA

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said that in the face of the COVID-19 economic crisis his government is supporting the poorest sectors, because the USMCA trade treaty will help the highest income families. While sharing his essay ‘The new economic policy in the times of coronavirus” on a video message, the president explained that his government has allowed businessmen to make business with lawful profits and progress and without any obstacles. Besides this, he also said that there is oil extraction, energy generation and several infrastructure projects involving companies whose owners are high income businessmen.

Automotive industry ready

The automotive industry is ready to resume operations since it has sanitary protocols developed jointly with IMSS to ensure workers’ health is not compromised. AMIA head Fausto Cuevas and AMDA head Guillermo Rosales held a virtual meeting with Senator Ricardo Monreal and other MORENA legislators. Both business representatives explained that a very difficult second semester awaits the sector after the sharp plunge on Q1, and that the sector will hardly recover this year.

Mexico City hospitalizations increase

The growing number of infected people has increased hospitalizations, but there are still available spaces for patients since hospitals capacity has not yet been filled, Mexico City Head of Government Claudia Sheinbaum said. “So far, the number of hospitalized people continues to grow and it is important that we all stay at home. Mexico City is still on red, on the traffic light system,” she said.

A warning on crime

The COVID-19 epidemic has become “a window of opportunity” for organized crime in Latin America, experts agreed on an Organization of American States (OAS) forum. Since mid-March, governments have been more focused on addressing the health and economic crises, while other areas have been neglected. IBI Consultants head Douglas Farah warned that in Mexico cartels are distributing food and medicine, and in Honduras gangs organize disinfection campaigns.