Covid-19 infections in Bolivia increased by 18% in the last week

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Bolivian Government informed this Monday that covid-19 cases increased by 18% in the last week at a time when the country’s minors under 16 and 17 years of age are starting to receive the first doses of the vaccine and the application of the third dose to those over 18 years of age continues.

Monday, the epidemiological report of week 42, which corresponds to October 18 to 24, detailed that 3,232 more cases were registered, 3,622 recovered, and 490 deaths due to the coronavirus.

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The highest increase of cases were Pando with 600%, Tarija with 39%, Beni with 36%, Santa Cruz with 29 %, Cochabamba with 24%, Potosi with 21%, and Chuquisaca with 2 %. In comparison, infections decreased in Oruro by 29% and in La Paz by 4%.

On the last day, Bolivia reported 210 cases for a total of 509,919 infections since the virus was detected in March 2020 and three deaths, bringing the total number of deaths due to the pandemic to 18,901.

According to the vaccination report of the Ministry of Health, 7,470,155 doses have been applied so far between the first, second, and unidosis.

Of this figure, 159,582 correspond to the third doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines that have been applied for October to those over 18 years of age.

In some regions, such as Cochabamba, vaccination of minors under 16 and 17 years of age against covid-19, who must be authorized and accompanied by their parents, will begin today.

In the presentation of the weekly report, the Minister of Health, Jayson Auza, confirmed that on October 31, when the voluntary application of only the third dose expires, they would go to get their third booster to demonstrate that this “is a beneficial measure that protects the health of the Bolivian people”.

The ministry highlighted that 62.2% of those over 18 years of age have already completed the vaccination schedule with Sputnik V, AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Pfizer, and Janssen.

Auza also announced a meeting next Thursday with governors, mayors of the main cities, and directors of the leading hospitals to review and adjust the measures to face the coronavirus in the country.

Bolivia has already faced three peaks of contagion during the pandemic, the most recent ended in July, and the authorities foresee the fourth wave for October, which for the moment is under control.