Venezuela Reports 30% Increase in Active COVID-19 Cases in Past Week – Two Weeks of Quarantine (Holy Week)
This Sunday, March 21, Venezuela reported an increase in its number of active cases per 100,000 inhabitants from 21 to 27, the result of the spread of the Brazilian variants P.1 and P.2 within its borders. This was announced in the weekly report issued by the Presidential Commission for the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 that President Maduro issues to the country every Sunday.
“We reached from a plateau of around 20 positive cases per 100,000 inhabitants during February,” stated the report. However, from the second to third week of March, the number of active cases per 100,000 inhabitants rose from 21 to 27. This increase in cases coincides with the identification of the Brazilian variants P.1 and P.2 on March 4 by IVIC researchers. The geographical distribution and epidemiological investigation of the cases indicate that there is community circulation of these mutations, and that they possibly entered through the shared border with Brazil and the Maiquetía international airport. To date, the variants have been identified in Caracas, Miranda, La Guaira, Bolívar, Zulia, and Mérida, where an increase in cases has been observed.
“As of March 21, Venezuela reported 8,872 active cases,” explained Maduro. “In the last week we have recorded an average of 7,766 cases, 739 new cases and 456 recovered per day. Before, we were even. Look at the difference… It means that hospital occupancy is increasing.”
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Likewise, this week 13 states registered an increase in infections: Caracas, La Guaira, Miranda, Bolívar, Monagas, Anzoátegui, Nueva Esparta, and Falcón. Five reported stability, namely Lara, Guárico, Carabobo, Mérida and Zulia. Finally, six states registered a decrease in their number of infections: Táchira, Trujillo, Barinas, Portuguesa, Amazonas, and Delta Amacuro.
Caracas is the state with the most active cases, reporting 2,262. It is followed by Miranda with 1,190, La Guaira with 850, Zulia with 707, Bolívar with 485, and Anzoátegui with 430.
“We have to take special measures, and I need the support of all the people who live in Caracas,” said the president.
#EnVideo📹| Pdte. @NicolasMaduro: Venezuela entra en fase de cuarentena radical, consciente y colectiva por 14 días a partir de este lunes 22 de marzo#DescuidarseEsContagiarse pic.twitter.com/uoeF0JQ2jC
— VTV CANAL 8 (@VTVcanal8) March 22, 2021
Holy Week added to the weekly quarantine week
As of this Monday, March 22, Venezuela begins two continuous weeks of radical and conscious quarantine, to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the country. The Brazilian strain is having a negative impact on the Venezuelan contagion curve.
With this decision, Holy Week, which previously was planned to coincide with the week of relaxation within the 7 + 7 reopening scheme implemented by the State for the effective control of the coronavirus pandemic, will change to a week of radical quarantine.
“We have already been coordinating with the Catholic Church, with the communities, with the priests,” said Maduro. “I announce that Holy Week this year will once again be in radical quarantine. So we are going to 14 days. Two weeks of radical, conscious, voluntary, family, community quarantine, with the maximum security of the State and the institutions, and we do it for the health of the families, for the health of our people. For the health of the good people of this miraculous and magical land of Venezuela.”
Likewise, he ordered the Executive Vice President of the Republic to guarantee coordination for all food, pharmaceutical, and health activities, so that “essential activities continue to develop and be carried out without problems.”
“We already have the experience to handle a strict radical quarantine,” said the president. “And we can advance in the control of these variants, P.1, and P.2, which have arrived from Brazil. We need to move towards control, and treatment; cut the chains of transmission, advance immediate and rapid health care for all patients.”
Featured image: File photo.
(RedRadioVE) with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/SL
