Argentina has seen a steady decline in coronavirus cases over the past 13 weeks

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Ministry of Health announced today that the number of people infected with coronavirus has decreased by more than 85% between the peak in May and last week.

According to the analysis of the National Epidemic Office Covid-19 for the 34th epidemiological week, the number of reported coronavirus cases was 32 476, 85% less than in week 20, when 225 504 people were infected with the virus at its peak in May.

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In addition, the Ministry of Health reported a decrease in the number of hospitalizations in intensive care units due to the disease.

In this regard, it pointed out that compared to week 23, when 7,839 people were hospitalized, the occupancy of intensive care beds fell by 60 percent, as in the week of August 20, the number of severe cases was 3,173.

Officials said this downward trend in occupancy was repeated over 11 weeks, as was the decline in the number of deaths.

“Thanks to the progress made in the national vaccination plan against Covid-19 and the maintenance of care measures, Argentina has registered a steady decrease in cases of the disease over the last 13 weeks,” Carla Vizzotti’s ministry said in a statement.

Regarding the vaccination schedule, the ministry said that “the goal set for this month to provide two doses of the vaccine to 60 percent of people over 50 years of age has been exceeded.” In contrast, “67 percent of people over 60 years of age, the age group most affected by the disease, have completed their vaccination schedule.”

Among other data on the epidemiological situation, the health authority added that “cases are decreasing in most country regions.”

In this regard, he pointed out that since the peak in May, with a daily average of 26,791 cases, there has been a sustained decline. For example, the daily average was 20,116 in June, 13,264 in July, and 6,922 so far in August.

As for the recovery of patients, according to official data, 93.7% of those infected have recovered.

This puts the country’s mortality rate at 2.15%.

“Compared to last year, there was a decrease in deaths in all age groups in 2021,” the statement said.

The distribution of confirmed cases by sex and age in 2021 remains constant over time, with 48.9% male and 50.1% female.

Under the vaccination plan, the National Ministry of Health distributed 44,989,834 doses, and records show 39,951,618 doses were used in jurisdictions.

Of the population 18 years and older, 81.8% have already received their first dose, while 33.3% have received the entire schedule.

In addition, 81.4% of those over 30, 87.6% of those over 40, 89.9% of those over 50, 93.6% of those over 60, 92.4% of those over 70, and 83.6% of those over 80 have already started the vaccination program.

The communiqué adds that 47.4% of those over 50, 65.8% of those over 60, 79.2% of those over 70, and 74.2% of those over 80 have already completed the program.