“Slight but Significant”: President Maduro on Increase of COVID-19 Cases in Venezuela
This Tuesday, December 22, Venezuela reported 315 new infections and four deaths from COVID-19, according to the report presented by the President of the Republic Nicolás Maduro.
Venezuelan authorities have shown a high level of responsibility and sensitivity towards the health of Venezuelans, even under US attacks and blockade. Since the month of July a reopening scheme called 7+7, meaning seven days of radical quarantine followed by seven days of reopening of selected areas of the economy, have resulted in a reduction in COVID-19 cases and deaths, allowing the government to announce a complete reopening for the month of December, in consideration of the Christmas holidays.
Of the new cases, 302 were from community transmission and 15 imported. “We have had a slight but significant rise,” said the president. The reopening of limited international flights, and travel inside Venezuela may have impacted the rate of infection, according to analyst.
“This slight increase in cases may be the foreshadowing of a second wave,” warned President Maduro. “We could be in the preparation phase for a second wave that could come in January… In the next few days, I will announce to the country what we’re going to to do in January,” he said.
During the anniversary of the Bolivarian National Police (PNB), which was broadcast through Venezolana de Televisión (VTV), the president pointed out that to date, Venezuela has reported 110,828 cases of coronavirus.
Faced with this situation, President Maduro urged the Venezuelan population to take care of themselves, to maintain biosafety protocols, and heed regulations regarding mandatory use of a mask and social distancing.
Featured image: Photo courtesy of Prensa Presidencial.
(La IguanaTV) with OT content.
Translation: OT/JRE/SL
