COVID-19 Infections and Death Rising Across Region
The Pan American Health Organization has issued some alarming data about the rise in COVID-19 infections and deaths across the region. PAHO held a press conference today where it sought to inform the region of a significant rise in COVID-19 cases across the Americas and the Caribbean over the past four weeks. According to the data, hospitalizations are also on the rise. Countries within the Caribbean are reporting increases in hospitalizations, while others like Brazil and Venezuela are reporting increases in deaths. Doctor Carissa Etienne, the Director at PAHO shared these details.
Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, Director, PAHO
“New infections and fatalities of COVID-19 have been rising steadily over the past four weeks. Last week, our region reported more than nine hundred and eighteen thousand cases, a twenty seven point two percent increase compared with the previous week. Over three thousand five hundred deaths were reported. COVID-19 hospitalizations increased in eighteen countries, and admission to intensive care units rose in thirteen countries and territories. More than half of the infections were reported in North America, where cases have been climbing for the past several weeks. The surge is driven by new infections in the United States which recorded more than six hundred and five thousand new cases, a thirty three percent increase. Central America saw the largest rise in cases, with infections soaring by eighty percent. In South America, Brazil recorded more than a hundred and twenty thousand new cases, a nine percent increase. Argentina had almost thirty four thousand cases, a ninety two percent increase over the previous week. Infections also surged in other countries of the sub region, while Venezuela, Paraguay, and Brazil recorded an increase in deaths. Across the Caribbean, COVID-19 cases have been increasing for five consecutive weeks, with a rise of nine point three percent in cases and a jump in deaths of forty nine percent as compared with the previous week. Fourteen countries and territories in the Caribbean reported increases in hospitalizations.”
