Panama records 1,028 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours; death toll reach 604

According to the official data, the total number of infected with the virus in the country is now 31,686, while 15,470 patients have clinically recovered from the disease. There are currently 15,612 active cases.

Deaths

A total of 12 new deaths were recorded over 24 hours. Six of the new death cases were women at age between 14 and 78. Three of the deceased women were vey young and had other related risk factors; a 14-year-old had history of surgery, a 21-year-old had tuberculosis and 33-year old had cancer.

Six of the death cases were men at age between 73 and 94. Most death cases had other risk factors such as, age, diabetes, obesity or other cardio vascular conditions.

Testing

2,902 new tests were conducted in since the last report, of which 35% were positive. The number of total tests is now 125,570, of which 91,023 were negative.

Testing rate is reported to cover 2,935 per 100,000 population.

Treatment

13,996 patients are in home isolation and 764 are in so-called hospital hotels.

The Ministry of Health also reported that 712 are in the hospital ward and 140 in the intensive care units.

Demographics

Positive COVID-19 cases by age group:

<20 years old: 3,808
20-39 years old: 13,911
40-59 years old: 10,051
60-79 years old: 3,270
>80 years old: 646

Deaths by age group:

<20 years old: 12
20-39 years old: 35
40-59 years old: 117
60-79 years old: 282
>80 years old: 158

Breakdown by provinces

Cases by provinces: Panama 19,684, Panama Oeste 5,563, Colón 1,292, Chiriquí 1,229, Veraguas 1,121, Bocas del Toro 1,066, Darién 883, Guna Yala 256, Ngäbe Buglé 269, Coclé 243, Herrera 48 and Los Santos 27.

Health authorities visit the modular hospital

The Minsa also reported on Sunday that Minister Luis Francisco Sucre and Deputy Minister Ivette Odalys Berrío visited the Panamá Solidario Hospital Complex.

They were accompanied by the Minister of Health, Eyra Ruíz; the director of the Social Security Fund (CSS), Enrique Lau Cortés; the medical director of this hospital, Aurora Vernaza; Dr. Julio Sandoval and other officials to evaluate the number of patients that can be transferred to these facilities, located in Albrook.

During the visit, Sucre said that the health authorities are strengthening the installed capacity in the different hospital centers, while seeking alternatives for the location of new Covid-19 positive care centers.

On the other hand, the Minsa is actively joining local authorities across the country in the fight against the new coronavirus. "The strategy aims to add representatives of the townships, mayors and governors, in order to refine the issues of traceability of positive cases and detect their origin."

Sucre assured that this is the best way to cut the virus transmission chain.

He added that the participation of community boards, civic clubs, sports and ecclesiastical authorities and all community leaders, including the health committees in each health center, in the war against Covid-19 is important.