Four More Patients Die; Suspected Cases Fall

Twenty people have died from COVID-19 in Mexico so far, the Ministry of Health’s report disclosed during Sunday’s daily briefing. Four more deaths and 85 more confirmed cases were added to the count, while the total suspected cases decreased to 2,564. Mexico City and the State of Mexico topped the states with most cases, both registering between 101 and 250 positive cases, said  Health Promotion Director Ricardo Cortés. The official said that although the majority of those affected are elderly, there are also cases of people in their twenties with the virus, a situation that confirms that everyone should take preventive measures. Cortés explained that the curve of confirmed cases already shows an inflexion point, which means that it is time to keep a healthy distance and stay at home.

As of Sunday, March 29

85           new cases (from yesterday)

933         confirmed cases nationwide

2,564     under investigation

20           deaths

Tabasco Gov. tests positive

Tabasco Governor Adán Augusto López has reported that he tested positive for COVID-19. “Yesterday I had the COVID-19 test and I was just notified that the result is positive. From this moment on I will be at home in quarantine and under observation,” the governor wrote on his Twitter account. López is the second governor in two days to test positive after  Hidalgo Governor Omar Fayad announced yesterday that he has the virus.

This is not the plague

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said COVID-19 is not like the plague and that the only thing we can do is to be careful and comply with the recommendations from doctors, specialists and scientists. On a video published on his Twitter account, the president urged citizens to care for the elderly. “Something that I consider fundamental is taking care of our elderly. That is the key. That is the contribution of Mexico to the world,” he said. Hours later, during a working tour in Mexicali, López Obrador ruled out to isolating himself after reports of governors testing positive, because “conservatives want to isolate me to take the leadership of the country.”

Volkswagen Puebla starts temporary layoff

Over 14,000 workers from Volkswagen’s Puebla factor will start a temporary layoff process this Monday, the company has reported. It is hoped that workers will return for shifts on April 13, though the contingency period could be extended. The company said they are waiting to see how the pandemic evolves and what Ministry of Health’s instructions will be

Drinking water for hospitals

The National Water Commission (Conagua) has joined the strategy to fight the pandemic and will secure drinking water availability for 768 priority hospitals. The list includes both Mexican Social Security institutes (IMSS) and Security and Social Services of State Workers (ISSSTE) hospitals and clinics, as well as other private and health sector hospitals.

Labor Ministry support worker rights

Labor Ministry announced a telephone line to receive complaints and provide advice on wages payments to make sure the worker rights are respected during the COVID-19 health contingency. The agency will attend citizens through the telephone number 22-15-57-32-61, which can be used to send a message through Telegram and Whatsapp.

Sheinbaum will go virtual

Mexico City Government head Claudia Sheinbaum said her health is at 100 percent, and that like any other citizen she only will have a COVID-19 test if she has some symptoms.  Sheinbaum said that starting this week all her briefings will be given online and reported that as of Saturday, seven people had died and that there were 398 suspected cases in Mexico’s capital city.