HIV Cases Represent Additional Challenge

Of the 686 deaths now recorded from COVID-19 in Mexico 43.15 percent of those who died had hypertension and 38 percent had diabetes, Deputy Minister of Health Hugo López-Gatell has reported. Five patients who had HIV have also died. López-Gatell said HIV represents an additional challenge because half the people who have the virus are unaware of it. Now, COVID-19 might join the list of “opportunistic diseases” that worsen the immune system. “Unfortunately, a significant proportion of people with HIV do not know their status until they have had an erosion of the immune system”, he warned. The Deputy Health Minister underlined the need for this group to tests for the virus, which is free.

As of Sunday, April 19

764         new cases (from yesterday)

8,261     confirmed cases nationwide

10,139   under investigation

686         deaths

13,000 ventilators for the most critical stage

Mexico will have some 13,000 ventilators to face the most critical stage of COVID-19 pandemic making sure that no patient is left without the needed equipment regardless of their age, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said. “We are going to have about 13,000 ventilators” he stated in a video message, where he highlighted the support of the Presidents of China and the US, which sold the equipment to Mexico.. “With this we are ready to face the worst moment of the pandemic. According to specialists it will be from May 2 to May 8. This is what Hugo and the experts are saying at their press conferences,” he said.

Health Minister call for respect

Minister of Health Jorge Alcocer and Deputy Minister Hugo López-Gatell called on the people to respect and care for health professionals since “they are the ones who can save our lives. In a live video, both officials lamented attacks that some healthcare personnel have faced. “They are being discriminated against,” Alcocer said.

Mandatory isolation in Jalisco

Jalisco Gov. Enrique Alfaro announced that as of Monday, social isolation will be mandatory in the state to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections, and warned of sanctions for those who do not comply. “The Health Cabinet and Security Cabinet, together with the municipal authorities, have made the decision that, starting this Monday, social isolation measures will be mandatory”. He said that it is unfair that those who are abiding by all measures could be put in danger by those who are not. “Everyone's life is at stake,” Alfaro said. The use of facemasks is among the mandatory measures.

PEMEX tightens control following growth in cases

PEMEX is implementing measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19 among oil workers in Campeche, the company stated in a press release. PEMEX said there are control filters including doctors taking workers’ temperature and thermal imaging cameras for better screenings. Today there were reports of 20 PEMEX workers taken ashore after the stat’s Ministry of Health  confirmed three positive cases among offshore platforms workers in Campeche.

Household energy maximum implemented

Energy consumers will not pay a higher rate if their average monthly electricity consumption exceeds the limit of the domestic high-consumption rate (DAC), the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) has reported. This agreement supports 39 million homes in these difficult circumstances of the pandemic.