Pandemic is Slowing/ Mexico Will Have Vaccine 6-12 Months Earlier

At his daily morning conference, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, accompanied by Minister of Health Jorge Alcocer Varela announced that “there is good news for Mexico City and the rest of the country.” Here are the highlights:

The pandemic is slowing down.

Hugo López-Gattel, Deputy Minister of Health said that Mexico is in a "clear process of decline in the epidemic.” He also pointed out that there are national indicators that show a sustained decline from six weeks ago and hospital stays had also shown a considerable drop. Lopez-Gatell explained that the pandemic is still active but on the decline. Today, Mexico has an estimated 37,538 active cases, which is only 7 percent of the total number of cases. Finally, he noted that only the states of Nuevo Leon, Nayarit and Colima have over 50 percent hospital occupancy, while the national average indicates 38 percent of hospital beds are occupied. 

Mexico moves to guarantee vaccine access.

Marcelo Ebrard, Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted that Mexico met with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States to promote international cooperation to combat COVID-19 and ensure access to the Oxford University and AstraZeneca vaccine in the region. The vaccine will cost other countries between US$3 and US$4, but for Mexicans it will be free as Mexico’s government will pay for it. Ebrard also noted that "the region will have access to the vaccine six to 12 months earlier than planned.” It is expected that by November the vaccine will be submitted for approval to COFEPRIS, and if approved, production will begin that same month. 

Guillermo Gutiérrez Badillo and Rafael Caraveo caught on video in acts of corruption.

President López Obrador explained that given the released video of extortion payments to officials Guillermo Gutierrez Badillo and Rafaerl Caraveo it will be the task of the Attorney General's Office to investigate and hold them accountable. Likewise, he explained "that it is an example of how people in the past administration were bought and how they got votes in the Senate for the approval of the Energy Reform," Lopez Obrador told the audience. He also pointed out that the media have not emphasized the importance symbolized by having public officials caught in acts of corruption.