Bolivia declares health emergency due to surge in Covid-19 infections

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – “We hereby advise the population that the National Strategic Council for Health Emergencies decided to declare a national health emergency,” announced Bolivia’s Minister of Health Jeyson Auza on Wednesday night.

The Minister highlighted that, while the measure is in force, national and importing laboratories will be required to submit a list of drug prices, which will be published by the State Agency of Medicines and Health Technology (AGEMED).

Auza emphasized that “under no circumstances can the services of the national health system be interrupted for the duration of this health emergency declaration.”

On Wedneday, Bolivia registered 6,149 infections and 28 new deaths. The main outbreak was detected in the department of Santa Cruz, with 4,376 positive cases, the highest number since the start of the pandemic.

New cases of coronavirus infection in the American continent increased by 50% over the past week and associated deaths by 1%, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Bolivia leads this regional wave of new cases in the Andean region.