MEXICO CITY – Mexico yesterday reeled from its worst week of the pandemic yet, with deaths averaging nearly 1,000 a day and the health system close to breaking point.
The Latin American country has seen a spike in infections and fatalities following the Christmas and New Year holidays, when families traditionally gather.
Queues for coronavirus tests or tanks of oxygen for sick relatives are now a common sight here, where the mood on the streets is sombre.
“We’re all scared, but unfortunately, there are people who don’t understand it, who go out without masks, have parties,” said Antonio Hoyos, a 55-year-old government worker buying oxygen for his son.
“They don’t realise the magnitude of what they’re causing.”
In the seven days to Wednesday, the nation of 128 million registered 6,930 deaths, including a record 1,314 on Tuesday alone.
“Since late November, there was a loss of control of social activity, and people began to go out too much in the streets,” epidemiologist Malaquias Lopez told AFP.
Mexico has recorded a total of 1.59 million Covid-19 infections and nearly 138,000 deaths – the world’s fourth-highest toll.
Authorities said it is partly a reflection of the country’s large population, but also the prevalence of underlying health problems including obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
They acknowledged that the real death toll is probably much higher due to limited testing.
‘Paranoid and scared’
The health system is overwhelmed in many areas, particularly Mexico City.
Home to nine million people, the capital has recorded more than 24,000 coronavirus deaths, and 91% of hospital beds are full, according to the Health Ministry.
“It scares me,” said Izchel Martinez, a 36-year-old lawyer.
“If you die, what will happen to the children? I personally feel paranoid and scared, and am being very careful.”
City authorities yesterday announced a home care plan that they said is for patients who do not need hospitalisation, including a supply of oxygen and monitoring by specialists.
But, the programme also reflects a grim reality.
“In some areas, many have no chance of receiving medical attention. This will even mean people dying at home,” warned Lopez, a former Health Ministry official.
Since December 18 last year, Mexico City has banned non-essential activities in an attempt to curb infections.
The country began mass immunisation on December 24 using the coronavirus vaccine developed by US drugs giant Pfizer and its German partner, BioNTech, but it is constrained by limited supply.
Optimism over the vaccine also brings a risk that people forget about the dangers of the pandemic, said Lopez.
“The truth is that vaccination is going to take a long time. There won’t be a significant impact for a long time, and by then, many will already be dead.” – AFP, January 15, 2021
