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Miriam Bello By Miriam Bello | Senior Journalist and Industry Analyst - Fri, 04/03/2020 - 13:26

Mexico is now on a sanitary emergency and while this might bring some relief, many are having more concerns than ever. While the Ministry of Health tries to cope with everything, the rest of the government, states, society and companies are also encouraged to do the best they can to contain COVID-19 and prevent a crisis in Mexico. The whole healthcare sector has been very active and cooperative, the scientific community is also up to date with research and medical staff is as committed as ever.

On Sunday, an economic plan is scheduled to be presented by the government. In the meantime, here is what we know so far. Check out the week in health!

NATIONAL

On Monday, the Ministrer of Foreign Affairs announced a national sanitary emergency which implies an extended suspension of non-essential activities in the public and private sectors until April 30. This announcement unleashed a series of questions among society about working conditions but the Ministry of Labor declared that, by law, firing workers because of the contingency is not permitted and that wage payments should proceed as usual.

After reporting 26 cases of COVID-19 and three deaths of IMSS workers at a hospital in Monclova, the Ministry of Health announced intensive sanitation measures at the facility, as well as special training for medical staff. 

Medical staff has reported aggression and discrimination against them due to population’s fear of contagion. CONAPRED calls on society to stop these actions.

Governors from Hidalgo, Queretaro and Tabasco have tested positive for COVID-19.

The governor of Jalisco has presented a plan to protect medical staff from discrimination and harassment. He has also accused the federal government for not doing massive tests on COVID-19.

Elections for municipal presidents in Hidalgo and Coahuila will be suspended due to the COVID-19 sanitary emergency.

Business sector calls for the government’s help to confront crisis and the government responds with a call for responsibility from them. This Sunday, the government will announce a national economic relief plan to recover from contingency.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced donations of facemasks, test kits for COVID-19 and respirators from China. This donation will be destined to INSABI. But first, tests to detect COVID-19 are to be evaluated by the Institute of Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference to assess their usefulness and organize their distribution to the public system.

Shortages on healthcare supplies have hit Mexico since the beginning of the year. Right now, the medical devices industry, alongside the medicine manufacturer industry are asking COFEPRIS for a faster response. President of AMID, Fernando Oliveros, has said that they have in line devices like oxygen concentrators, filters, nebulizers, nasal cannulas and all kinds of tools for managing complications and respiratory infections such as pneumonia. COFEPRIS said that the commission executes tasks to maintain the supply of medicines and medical devices and that the investigation protocols are submitted to the evaluation and approval of the Commission, which will issue a resolution within 24 hours.

Medical devices manufacturers in Mexico experience high demand of ventilators coming from the US and Europe. Tijuana, hub of this factories, reported that the demand for ventilators increased 1,000 percent since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, which has caused almost 4,000 deaths in the US and more than 43,000 worldwide.

The delivery app Rappi will give its workers special insurance against the health contingency in Mexico, announced the insurance broker INTERprotección.

GNP announced that newly insured people will be fully protected in case of contracting COVID-19. Previously, the policy only covered damages from this virus until after 30 days of being infected.

Genomma Lab will donate antibacterial and health products to hospitals, clinics and other population care centers in the communities where it operates, said Rodrigo Herrera, Administration Counsel President.

After many criticisms, CONACYT has announced its support on 35 projects related to COVID-19. This news came after the General Health Council called on the scientific community to meet and coordinate their immediate contribution to the tasks of analysis and investigation in the face of the health emergency due to force majeure.

Here is a real-time map of COVID-19 in Mexico, with global updates as well.

INTERNATIONAL

Ventilators and respirators have been a cause of concern for many countries. SEAT Martorell is one of the companies that joins efforts to intensify the production of respirators assisted with the adapted motor of its vehicles’ wipers to collaborate with the sanitary system.

Ecuador faces massive criticism due to dead bodies left on the streets. Government has said that deaths related to COVID-19 have surpassed the government’s response capacity.

The US reports rising unemployment due to COVID-19. Around 10 million people have signed the requirements for unemployed aid.

WHO has been vocal about vulnerable groups to COVID-19, but they also encourage not to dismiss complications among young people, as many more cases keep presenting serious complications

The President of Philippines has authorized armed forces to shoot citizens that do not respect strict quarantine. The National Police Chief has said officers will not follow this direction.

Photo by:   teleSUR

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