Covid-19: Argentina reports 3,636 new cases and 64 deaths (August 16)

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Argentine Ministry of Health reported on Monday 3,636 new cases of the SARS-CoV-2, bringing the total number of positives to 5,088,271. At the same time, deaths rose to 109,105 after 64 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.

The figures continue to decline compared to the positive cases reported this Sunday when 3,727 cases were reported, although, on weekends, the number of reported infections is usually lower.

In addition, this Monday is a public holiday in the country, so fewer infections and deaths are expected.

Argentina registered a daily record number of cases last May 27, when 41,080 cases were reported, while the highest number of deaths in a single day was verified last June 22, with 792 deaths.

In the province of Buenos Aires, 711 cases were reported on this day, in the central province of Cordoba 631 positive cases were recorded, in the province of Santa Fe (center), 269 were reported, and in the capital of the country, 288 cases were reported.

According to the official report, 4.75 million patients have already been discharged. The number of people with a confirmed diagnosis of covid-19 who remain in intensive care units was 3,528, down from 7,969 on June 14.

The percentage of bed occupancy in intensive care units (ICU) for all types of pathologies is 50.5% at a national level and 48% if only Buenos Aires and its periphery are considered.

So far, 20.79 million tests for the virus have been carried out in the South American country, of which 39,608 were performed this Monday.

Argentina experienced an accelerated increase in covid-19 cases in April and May, with a high level of occupancy of beds in intensive care units. However, the upward curve of positives began to ease in June, following new sanitary restrictions.

While seeking to delay the circulation of the Delta variant, Argentina, with some 45 million inhabitants, continues with its vaccination campaign against the coronavirus, which began at the end of December last year, to complete the inoculation scheme in August for as many people as possible.

According to official data released on Monday, some 36.85 million doses have been applied so far. 26.64 million people received the first dose of the vaccine, while 10.20 million people have already been inoculated with the second dose.

Argentina began to combine vaccines from different laboratories due to delays in the arrival of component 2 of Sputnik V, which for the time being, will be substituted with those developed by Moderna and AstraZeneca.

According to a press release issued this Monday, the National Minister of Health, Carla Vizzotti, traveled to Russia to “deepen the collaborative work in relation to the production and supply of vaccines against covid-19.”

According to the document, the agenda with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) will include “the review of the vaccine delivery schedule, the production status of doses – especially of component 2 – and the steps to be taken in the framework of the joint work.”