Jump to content

Panama and the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic. Omicron and beyond


Message added by Moderator_03,

All articles about the Covid 19 prior to the identification of the Omicron variant can now be found here:
https://chiriqui.life/topic/14130-panama-and-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic/

Message added by Moderator_03,

To see the latest information on Panama's Entry Requirements, the official site is
https://www.tourismpanama.com/plan-your-vacation/advisories/

The information is also available as an easy to follow flow chart thanks to I Go Panama. The link to that is -
https://igopanama.com/covid-entry-requirements/

Recommended Posts

  • Moderators
Quote

“Urgent” need to limit Ómicron onslaught

vas6j.jpeg

Posted 06/12/2021

The arrival of the first cases of  Ómicron, the new variant of Covid-19 in several Latin American countries, has led Panama’s technical health team to express the “urgent” need to take the necessary actions to limit its entry into the country.

Lourdes Moreno, head of epidemiology at the Ministry of Health (Minsa), said on Monday in Telemetro Reporta: “We all know that the situation worldwide is difficult. What Panama has to do is maintain its health system in optimal conditions to provide a timely and effective response as has been given so far, "She said  that the Delta variant is the one with the greatest presence in the country, and "we have been able to respond."

Moreno also affirmed that in the face of a slight increase in cases of the new coronavirus, the installed capacity is adequate.  With "intensified epidemiological surveillance, such in airports and ports, genomic surveillance, and flight traceability," he said.

However, she emphasized that what is wanted is to reinforce anti-covid vaccination. She said that 89.7% of people over 12 years of age, which is the target population, already have the first dose, and 80% have a second. However, there are still people to be vaccinated.

"This is extremely important, we become aware of vaccination and especially for Ómicron and any variant, not to leave biosafety measures,".

The epidemiological report of the Minsa on Sunday, December 5, reported that 222 new positive cases of Covid-19 were registered in Panama, for a cumulative total of 479,053.

There is a total of 7,374 accumulated deaths, since March 2020, when the pandemic arrived in the country.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/urgent-need-to-limit-omicron-onslaught

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 204
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Moderators
Quote

Panama on covid rebound may be new wave

vaccine-5.jpg

Posted 07/12/2021

Panama could be on the cusp of  another pandemic wave said Doctor and researcher Vigil De Gracia, on TVN-2.com

According to De Gracia, last week, from November 29 to December 5, was the third that reflects a minimal increase in new infections, a slight increase in positivity, and an increase in the number of new cases detected. "We do not doubt that we are in a rebound that can turn into a wave or not, but we do not know, so we must apply the vaccines."

And, the country had dropped to values close to 1,500 active cases and currently reflects about 2,800 new infections. Meanwhile, the lethality of the virus has remained at a stable rate, according to Vigil De Gracia.

The public health specialist, Jorge Luis Prosperi remarked on his weekly blog that, for four weeks, the country has reported a clear increase in cases, increasing from 26.8 the week that ended on November 13 to 35.5 cases reported per 100,000 inhabitants this week.

Meanwhile, deaths remain an average of 0.3 per 100,000 inhabitants in the same period, but if cases continue to increase, the chances of serious patients and deaths will increase.

"Although deaths and the occupancy of beds in the ICU maintain a downward trend; this increase in cases shows that we are at the beginning of a rebound and should be cause for concern," he said.

Given this, the director of the National Secretary of Science and Technology (Senacyt), Eduardo Ortega, asked the population not to relax. "The masks work against all variants.”

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/panama-on-covid-rebound-may-be-new-wave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Moderator_03 said:

Why create in the minds of the population a "crisis" when there is not one?   The country boasts 80% vaccination rate vs COVID but is also has an extremely high rate of natural immunity due to the manner in which the initial outbreak was handled treating early cases in homes.  The Omicron has low lethality and severity as recorded worldwide so far.  If this mutation takes over it strikes me as good thing...a literal downsizing of this entire Pandemic.

Now is the time for a concerted move toward the direction of normalcy as our mayor here demonstrated by holding the country's 200th birthday celebration with a parade.  Thank you Mr Mayor !   We all enjoyed fresh air, sunshine and the joy of celebration .  Every body respected the mask mandate.  Under all those masks there were smiles I know !                                      Alison. a nurse

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

Mandatory vaccination  only when necessary to reach public health goals - UN

vaccine-5.jpg

Posted 08/12/2021

Mandatory vaccination must comply with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and non-discrimination said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, on Wednesday.

The High Commissioner said that the objectives pursued by countries that consider making the vaccine mandatory to fight the pandemic were "of course, of the highest level of legitimacy and importance." But she insisted that "mandatory vaccination should only be used when necessary to achieve compelling public health goals."

"And only when less intrusive measures, such as wearing a mask and social distancing, fail to meet

those public health goals. Although refusing to comply with the obligation to be vaccinated can have legal consequences, such as an appropriate fine,"

Bachelet also emphasized that for the obligation to be "in accordance with the fundamental principles of human rights of equality and non-discrimination," countries have to ensure the supply of vaccines and that they are truly affordable as well as being "sufficiently safe and effective," she added.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/mandatory-vaccination-only-when-necessary-to-reach-public-health-goals-un-1

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

Border and community watch against omicron reinforced

Posted 09/12/2021

Health Minister of Health, Luis Francisco Sucre, reiterated Thursday, December 9, that epidemiological and genomic surveillance has been reinforced at the entrance and exit doors of the country, in order to be able to detect the Omicron variant of Covid-19, which to date has not occurred.

Sucre also said that 90% of those who died from Covid-19 were unvaccinated or did not get their full schedule, of two anti-covid doses.

He emphasized that anticovid vaccines "do not make us immortal", but rather improve the immune system and reduce the probability that the disease will complicate.

Sucre said that of improving and reinforcing surveillance will not prevent the variant from reaching the country. "At some point, it will enter," he said.

He explained that what is being tried is to "handle it and delay it" as much as possible, as was done with the Delta variant so that when the country enters the country "scientists have more information on how the virus is managed and we can have" greater control.

 What is sought is that this situation "does not hit us" as it happened in December and January of last year, when the cases increased, although in the hospitals it was quite controlled.

Scientists at the Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies (Icges) carry out epidemiological and genomic surveillance to identify cases with this new variant, classified by the World Health Organization as of concern.

"All travelers arriving from suspected countries undergo genomic surveillance, so far we have no cases [of the Omicron variant]," said Juan Pascale, director of Icges.

However, Pascale recalled that when the first case of SARS CoV2 arrived in the country, it was expected from China, which was the first place where the new coronavirus was detected, "but it came from other countries that already had it." For this reason community surveillance is being carried out, since Panama is a logistics hub.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/border-and-community-watch-against-omicron-reinforced

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

Moderator's note: This is not in Panama but could be of interest

Quote

Woman with fake vaccine certificate dies of covid-19

vax-30.jpg

Posted 10/12/2021

A 57-year-old woman who had a false vaccination certificate died of Covid-19 in a hospital southwest of Paris, a medical authority from the clinic reported on Friday, December 10.

The patient, with no medical history, was admitted to a hospital in Hauts-de-Seine with the false document bought from a doctor, assuring that she had been vaccinated.

She suffered from a severe form of the disease "that rapidly progressed to a severe respiratory attack," said Djillali Annane, head of the resuscitation department, interviewed by RTL radio.

If doctors had known that the patient was not vaccinated against Covid-19, they could have "administered neutralizing antibodies early, which are known to be effective in reducing the risk of disease progression," he added.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/woman-with-fake-vaccine-certificate-dies-of-covid-19

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

Panama Omicron free for now

vax-30.jpg

Posted 10/12/2021

There are 20 countries that have not yet reached the goal set by the World Health Organization (WHO) of achieving 40% coverage of the anticovid vaccination by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has been detected in at least six countries in the region.

Against this background, Carissa F. Etienne, director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), said that accelerating access to vaccines will be "essential to protect the population and, especially, the most vulnerable people."

"The appearance of a new variant does not necessarily mean a worsening of the situation, but it does mean that we must increase precautions," said Etienne.

In Panama, scientists from the Gorgas Commemorative Institute for Health Studies (Icges) carry out epidemiological and genomic surveillance to identify cases with this new variant, classified by the WHO as of concern. Until this Friday, no case of this variant has been detected in the country.

According to PAHO, 55% of the population of Latin America and the Caribbean is fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. In some countries - such as Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - vaccination coverage remains much lower.

“We need a reliable supply of doses so that our Covid-19 vaccination campaigns do not amplify the inequities that have divided our Region for so long,” Etienne added.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/panama-omicron-free-for-now

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

90.2% vaccinated against covid but over 4,000 teachers refuse

min.jpg

Posted 13/12/2021

At least 4,000 teachers have refused vaccination against Covid-19 said Education Minister Maruja Gorday de Villalobos, revealed on Monday, December 13.

She explained to journalists that most of these educators refuse to vaccinate due to cultural issues.

Asked  about the future of those teachers the official said that the entity she directs is verifying with the Ministry of Health "all actions to continue promoting the vaccine."

According to the minister, it is in the regions where a low vaccination has been detected among both teachers and students.

She clarified that the Ministry of Education also has to respect the cultural aspect. "However, we are going to continue promoting vaccination, we will be in contact with any of the guidelines given by health authorities in relation to this issue."

On December 12, the Expanded Immunization Program (PAI) of the Ministry of Health revealed that 6,118,709 doses of vaccines against Covid-19 had been applied.

According to the EPI, with the first doses, 90.02% of the target population to be vaccinated (older than 12 years) have been vaccinated, while 80.49% have received two doses and 222,111 booster doses have been placed.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/902-vaccinated-against-covid-but-over-4000-teachers-refuse

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

FDA authorizes use of Evusheld for covid-19

astra.jpg

Posted 14/12/2021

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the emergency use of Evusheld - a combination of AstraZeneca's monoclonal antibodies tixagevimab and cilgavimab - for the prevention of Covid-19.

Through a statement, the FDA detailed that this drug is only authorized to non-infected or exposed people who have an immune system that does not allow them to be vaccinated or a history of adverse reactions to vaccines.

"Vaccines have proven to be the best defense against Covid-19, but there are immunosuppressed individuals who may not see an increased immune response given by the vaccine and who need a prevention alternative," said Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the Center for Evaluation and FDA Drug Research.

The drug is indicated for adults and pediatric patients over 12 years of age weighing at least 40 kilos.

It is not authorized for the treatment of Covid-19 after possible exposure to the virus.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/fda-authorizes-use-of-evusheld-for-covid-19

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

Covid  infections  on the rise+

testsj.jpeg

Posted 15/12/2021

Covid-19 cases are on the rise with 382 new infections reported in Panama on Tuesday, December 14  for a cumulative total of 481,438 confirmed cases, of which 470,561 have been recovered, according to the Epidemiological Report of the Ministry of Health (Minsa).

During the past 24 hours, there were two deaths bringing the total to date to, 7,391 deaths, for lethality of 1.54%.

On Tuesday they applied 9,535 tests, with a percentage of positivity of 4%.

The Minsa reported 3,486 active cases with121 hospitalized 105 in the covid-19 ward and 16 in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Vaccinations
 On Tuesday, the Expanded Immunization Program (PAI) reported that since January in Panama 6,130,791 doses of the vaccine against covid-19 have been applied.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/covid-infections-on-the-rise

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

56 of every 100 in Panama are fully vaccinated

 

vaccine-15j.jpeg

Posted 16/12/2021

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), published on December 14, a report that in Panama at least 56 out of every 100 people have the complete vaccination scheme.

PAHO released the official data published by Our World in Data , which includes the vaccination report until December 11.

According to this report, 69% of people have received at least one dose of the biologics against the new coronavirus.

Panama is one of the countries that has the highest proportion of the population completely immunized, positioning it above the world average of 46%, according to Our World in Data.

It was also highlighted that Panama is among the Central American countries that has achieved the highest number of doses administered per 100,000 people and "with the highest percentage of the target population [12 years and older] with a complete scheme."

This December 15, the Expanded Immunization Program (PAI) of the Ministry of Health revealed that 6 million 140 thousand 710 doses of vaccines against Covid-19 had been applied.

Of that total, 3 million 112 thousand 116 are first doses, while 2 million 786 thousand 260 are second doses. In addition, 235 thousand 353 are booster doses and 6 thousand 981 third doses for immunosuppressed people.

The target population, which is 12 years and older, 90.1% is covered with the first dose and 80.7% with the second dose, according to the EPI.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/56-of-every-100-in-panama-are-fully-vaccinated

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators
Quote

43% increase in covid cases with 4000 looming

traceability.jpg

9,000 tests a day.

Posted 19/12/2021

The epidemiological week (December 12 to 18 closed with 2,490 new infections of Covid-19, an increase of 43%.which represents 748 more cases compared to the previous one

Statistics from the Ministry of Health also indicate that the country is about to reach 4,000 active cases.

President Cortizo has called on the population to redouble prevention efforts and urged vaccination.

The epidemiological week closed with an average of 355 new cases of Covid-19, which represents 106 more infections than the previous one when the average was 249 per day.

There was an increase in deaths with an average of two per day when last week it was one death.

According to Minsa, the rebound in positive cases is still within the expected amount between November and December.

“During this pandemic, we have won some battles. There is still no victory cry. Let's double our guard. Last week, 117 vaccination centers opened. Please go to get vaccinated, ”Cortizo said.

The Minister of Health, Luis Francisco Sucre, pointed out that being vaccinated is not a patent for breaching biosafety measures, so he suggested that the population continue to use masks, with frequent hand washing and cleaning. physical distancing, particularly in places where there are crowds.

The reports of Cortizo and Sucre occur at a time when the World Health Organization (WHO) states that the Omicron variant has been detected in more than 85 countries, and the cases of Covid-19 related to this mutation are doubling between 1.5 and 3 days in places with community infections and not only for infections acquired abroad.

To date, no cases of the new variant have been detected in the country; however, health authorities are betting on epidemiological surveillance, as well as vaccinating the largest number of people throughout the country.

According to the Expanded Program on Immunization, 6.1 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been applied. In this context, the target population, from 12 years of age, is covered with one dose in 90.2% and with two doses in 80.9%.

In addition, 9,000 tests are carried out daily.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/43-increase-in-covid-cases-with-4000-looming

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators
Quote

Vaccination should be mandatory for teachers and school staff – science chief

ortegaj.jpeg

Eduardo Ortega

Posted 19/12/2021

We are facing an imminent rebound in covid-19 Eduardo Ortega, secretary of the National Secretariat for Science and Technology told  La Estrella.

Despite being one of the countries on the continent with the best rates of pandemic control, scientists are concerned about the arrival of the omicron variant that, added to the end-of-year parties and face-to-face classes, could cause pressure on the health system.

However, there is a significant percentage of Panamanians vaccinated with two doses (80%) that could cushion hospitalizations. Removing the mask, for now, is not an option. According to Ortega, we would repeat the European scenario.

There are 4,000 unvaccinated teachers and Ortega believes that anyone offering a service to the public should have both doses of the vaccine and the teachers and administrators, those who transport them in school buses, those who feed them and clean the schools should be vaccinated. The only barrier we have today to protect children, if they are not yet vaccinated, is that the adults around them are vaccinated.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/vaccination-should-be-mandatory-for-teachers-and-school-staff-science-chief

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

Vaccination drive heats up as Omicron identified in Costa Rica

Posted 20/12/2021

The  Omicron variant of covid-19 which is spreading around the world has not yet reached Panama but Costa Rica has reported its first case and health officials warn that with the holiday season and family gatherings ahead, now is not the time to let our guard down with the unvaccinated posing the greatest threat.

Meanwhile, the main  pandemic adviser to the United States, Anthony Fauci, warned  Sunday: "One thing that is very clear ... is its extraordinary ability to spread wreaking havoc around the world."

Since its first appearance in South Africa in November, Ómicron has been identified in dozens of countries, forcing several to reimpose travel restrictions and other measures.

Although it does not appear to be more severe than the delta variant - which is still the dominant strain - the mutated Omicron appears to have a worrying resistance to greater transmissibility, according to preliminary data.

Fauci also cautioned against over-optimism about Ómicron's severity, noting that the situation in South Africa, where the rate of hospitalizations per case appears to be lower than with delta, could be due to underlying immunities from previous and widespread infections.

"No matter how you look at it," he said, "when you have so many, so many infections, even if it seems less serious (than delta)," it could cause "our hospitals to be under a lot of pressure in the coming weeks,"

Fauci urged Americans who are not yet vaccinated to inject themselves, and those vaccinated to seek a booster dose.

"With Ómicron ... we are going to live some tough weeks, or months, as we move into winter," Fauci said.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/vaccination-drive-heats-up-as-omicron-identified-in-costa-rica

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

Following is a translation of an article in La Prensa. The original Spanish article can be found on the link at the end.
 

Quote

Minsa confirms first case of the Omicron variant in Panama

ZEGWXB4G6ZH4JMHQA765YAJH2Q.jpg

Posted 20 December 2021

The Ministry of Health confirmed on Monday 20 December that the first case of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has been detected in Panama.
Luis Francisco Sucre, head of the Ministry of Health, confirmed that the first case of Omicron was detected yesterday, Sunday 19 December, in a 50-year-old man.

According to Sucre, health authorities are also following up on six people who had contact with the infected person during his trip to Panama.

He added that this suspected group is in quarantine, and will undergo PCR and antigen tests to determine whether they were infected with the new coronavirus.

According to a press conference, the person affected by the Omicron variant travelled to South Africa for work reasons, as he is a member of the staff of one of the mining projects being developed in the country.

Sucre clarified that the infected person has a full vaccination schedule and that he entered the country with a negative PCR test.

The minister said that, due to the biosecurity protocol that mining companies have in the country, he is confident that the infected person was not circulating in Panama City.

The man was always isolated and had no contact with anyone else in the project. He was first tested on the third day after entering the country and was found to be negative. Then on the fifth day, a PCR and an antigen test were carried out, both of which were positive. However, the patient is asymptomatic, Sucre said.

The staff of the Gorgas Memorial Institute was in charge of verifying the presence of the Omicron variant in the patient, which has caused the reinforcement of biosecurity measures in the countries of the European Union and the United States.

Sucre called on the population to redouble biosecurity measures, such as hand washing, the use of masks and physical distancing, in the presence of this case, which he called imported.

Panama's announcement comes a day after Costa Rican health authorities confirmed that an eight-year-old boy was found to be infected with the variant.

According to reports from the neighbouring country, the child travelled with his family to the United States and then, on entering Costa Rica, was found to be infected, as he presented with fever, body aches and general malaise.

https://www.prensa.com/sociedad/minsa-confirma-el-primer-caso-de-la-variante-omicron-en-panama/?utm_source=prensa.com&utm_medium=compartir&utm_campaign=facebook

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

Waiting time for booster jab cut to 3 months

vaccine-15j.jpeg

Posted 21/12/2021

A day after it was revealed that Panama identified its first case of the omicron variant of covid-19 in a 50-year-old man who had traveled to South Africa, President Cortizo announced that the waiting time for a booster shot had been cut to three months instead of six.

In a meeting of health advisors with Cortizo, it was also approved that the vaccination will be for the entire population over 16 years of age.

The Omicron variant, which was first reported in South Africa, has proven to be more transmissible than the Delta, which is the dominant one in Panama.

Until Monday, December 20, the report of the Expanded Vaccination Program reported the application of 6,177 885 doses of vaccines against the coronavirus.

Of that amount 3,118,260 correspond to the first dose and 2,099.649 to the second. In addition, a total of 252,810 booster doses and 7,166 third doses have been applied.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/waiting-time-for-booster-jab-cut-to-3-months

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

Active cases of covid-19 rise to 5,232

test-23j.jpeg

10,703 tests with a 6.7% positivity

Posted 23/12/2021

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) reported 719 new infections of Covid-19 on Thursday, December 23.

Active cases rose to 5,232, that is, 575 more cases than Wednesday.

The epidemiological report of the Minsa indicates that death occurred for an accumulated of 7,406 deaths.

To detect new infections, 10,707 tests were applied that yielded a positivity of 6.7%.

There are 146 people hospitalized in the ward and 17 in the intensive care unit.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/active-cases-of-covid-19-rise-to-5232

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

Tracing program identifies two new omicron cases

omicron-23.jpg

Posted 23/12/2021

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) reported Wednesday, December 22, two new cases of the Omicron variant of covid-19 in Panama.

The two cases are among the six suspects that were announced on  Monday whose tests were being analyzed by the Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies (Icges) . The rest of the other cases are still under laboratory surveillance at ICGES, the Ministry announced

One of the new cases belongs to the Metropolitan Health Region, and it is a 35-year-old man, asymptomatic, vaccinated with two doses of anticovid, and with a recent travel history to Colombia.

The other in  the San Miguelito Health Region and is a 27-year-old man, with two doses of vaccine applied. His symptoms are a dry cough and a sore throat who traveled abroad recently, but the location was not reported.

Both cases are in quarantine and have been detected by the traceability applied by the authorities from the first case of Ómicron detected on December 19 in a 50-year-old man, who traveled to South Africa for work reasons.

Given the appearance of new cases of the Ómicron, the health authorities reiterate the call to the population to go to the vaccination centers to get the booster dose, which from this Wednesday can be received if you have at least 3 months after the second dose.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/tracing-program-identifies-two-new-omicron-cases

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

OPINION:  Necessary that everyone should be vaccinated

Posted 25/12/2021

The Christmas and New Year holidays are always an opportunity to share, meet with family and friends, but we must not forget that we are in the middle of the pandemic, with a virus that constantly mutates, so it is necessary that the target population complete vaccination. Statistics tell us that the cases of contagion have increased considerably in recent days and that hospitalizations have also increased, although, fortunately, deaths are controlled, especially because patients have a vaccination picture that has contained a fatal outcome.

For this reason, it is not only important but necessary, that everyone be vaccinated, while the measures that the authorities have recommended since the beginning of the pandemic must be observed. The economic recovery also depends on it, which begins to rebound in recent months. If we want to return to normality, we have to do our part, and the Government, to facilitate all logistics, so that the population can be massively vaccinated. Let's enjoy the holidays and family company, but let's do so in the awareness that the pandemic is not over yet. – LA PRENSA, Dec. 25.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/opinion-necessary-that-everyone-should-be-vaccinated

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

827 new covid infections lift active case total to  6,365

test-25j.jpeg

12,806 tests were carried out.

Posted 25/12/2021

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) reported 827 new cases of covid -19  and two deaths on Saturday, December 25.

In addition, 12,806 tests were applied in the country to detect those infected, a percentage of positivity of 6.4% is maintained, which represents a reduction compared to December 24, which was 7.2%.

Active cases total 6,365 with 165 hospitalized, of them 145 are in a ward and 20 in intensive care units.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/827-new-covid-infections-lift-active-case-total-to-6365

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

5,858 active cases herald fourth wave of covid-19

Posted 25/12/2021

  With 5,858  active cases, Panama is facing an increase in cases of Covid-19, which for the scientific community is an "omen" of a fourth wave, now with the appearance of the Omicron variant.

In the last two weeks, positivity and active cases grew, although, for specialists, the indicator that should be paid attention to is the number of hospitalized. Fifteen days ago there were 14 patients in intensive care and 101 in the ward; now they are 17 and 146, respectively.

The message from the scientific community to the population in the  last days of the year is simple: be vaccinated, be responsible,  and comply with the biosafety measures established against Covid-19.

Although the country has a rebound in cases, hospitalizations and deaths due to the virus do not show alarming growth. However, specialists on the subject, such as the epidemiologist Arturo Rebollón, consider that "prudence" must be maintained due to the presence of more contagious variants, such as Ómicron.

15 days ago, the average number of cases was 249 per day, but this week there were more than 700 in one day. Those hospitalized went from 115 to 163, and the percentage of positivity, which reached 4.4%, now exceeds 6%. Deaths remain stable, averaging one per day.

“The variable that really has to interest us is hospitalizations and deaths. We must reinforce the prevention message since we had been in 17 weeks with negative numbers of hospitalization and now we have four weeks with a change in that trend, "said Rebollón.

The epidemiologist recalled that there are a million vulnerable people who have not received vaccines, among those under 12 years of age and people who refuse to be vaccinated, which implies that a quarter of the population is unprotected and, when infected, could overload the health system. "You have to be moderate in the actions and end of the year parties," he said.

For Eduardo Ortega Barría, advisor to the Panama Covid-19 Vaccine Research Consortium, the collaboration of the population is essential.

“The recommendation is to get vaccinated, maintain the family bubble, and biosafety measures. Every time there is a rebound there is a new wave and there will be a fourth wave, no doubt. The situation is going to improve, but we are going to spend critical weeks, "he said.

 Javier Nieto, former director of the Gorgas Memorial Institute that on December 24, 2020, Panama accounted for 51 deaths in one day from Covid-19. “Today, thanks to mass vaccination, deaths have been reduced by more than 90%. Let's celebrate life judiciously, "he said.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/5858-active-cases-herald-fourth-wave-of-covid-19

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

Health Ministry confirms 9 Omicron variant cases - 17 suspected

Posted 25/12/2021

The Ministry of Health confirmed on December 24 a total of nine cases of coronavirus with the omicron variant, of which six are new cases while announcing 17 suspected cases are under genomic analysis by the Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies.

Of the total of confirmed cases with the Omicron variant, seven are male and two female, between the ages of 24 and 50 years.

The cases belong to the Health regions of Coclé, San Miguelito and Panama Metro. The cases are from the townships of Río Hato in Coclé; Amelia Denis De Icaza and Rufina Alfaro in San Miguelito and Ancón, Betania, Don Bosco and San Francisco in the capital.

Those infected with this variant have a travel history to South Africa, Colombia, Spain, the United States, and Puerto Rico. There is only one with no foreign travel history

All those infected with the new variant have two doses against Covid-19.

Those detected with the variant are in isolation and epidemiological surveillance, in addition to the traceability of their contacts.

The Minister of Health, Luis Francisco Sucre, in his Christmas message,reiterated the call to the population to maintain biosafety measures, particularly the correct use of the mask, hand washing and physical distancing reports TVN.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/health-ministry-confirms-9-omicron-variant-cases-17-suspected

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/25/2021 at 7:06 AM, Moderator_03 said:

OPINION:   Knowing risks of side effects and possibility of getting infected in spite of vaccination should be as well considered.  The ominously named Omicron is not causing the deaths that the Alpha and Delta did.  Minsa needs to provide stats on  breakthrough infection ( infection among vaccinated ) as well as observed ill effects seen here of the vaccination itself.       Alison. R.N.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators
Quote

Over 100 covid vaccination centers reopen Monday

vaccine-26j.jpeg

Posted 26/12/2021

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) reported  Sunday, December 26, that there are at least 105 anticovid vaccination centers throughout the national territory.

Immunization points have been installed in health centers, regional hospitals, and shopping centers.

They will resume operations Monday, December 27. Thousands visited vaccination centers for booster shots following the announcement that the waiting time after the second vaccination had been cut to three months.

Minsa has reiterated the call to the population to be vaccinated to reduce the risk of complications and death from the coronavirus. It is also important to continue to comply with biosafety measures, such as the use of the mask-face shield combination and constant hand washing.  

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/over-100-covid-vaccination-centers-reopen-monday

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators
Quote

Vaccinations reflected in reduced hospitalizations

vaccine-15j.jpeg

Posted 26/12/2021

The epidemiological week 51 (from December 19 to 25) closed  with 4,141 cases of Covid-19 disease, which represents 1,651 more cases than the previous one (from December 12 to 18), an increase of 66.3%

Although hospitalizations in the ward and intensive care units increased from 135 in the previous epidemiological week to 165 in the week that closed Sarurday, the positive impact of vaccination is evident, because, for that same date in 2020, there were 2,031 hospitalized.

The acceleration of Covid-19 cases coincides with the arrival of the Omicron variant. Infectology specialists do not rule out community transmission of the new variant.

The arrival of the variant of the is a new test that the country must assume in the face of the pandemic, since its detection coincided with the end of the year holidays, and brings with it an increase that will be very marked in the number of new infected during the remainder of December and January.

Meanwhile, the new cases with the Omicron variant begin to multiply. On December 19, the first case with this lineage was detected in Panama and until December 24 there were already nine and 17 under investigation, by the Genomic and Proteomic Research Department of the Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies (Icges).

Those infected with the new variant live in the Health regions of Coclé, San Miguelito and Panama Metro. The cases are from the townships of Río Hato in Coclé; Amelia Denis De Icaza and Rufina Alfaro, in San Miguelito, and Ancón, Betania, Don Bosco and San Francisco in the capital city.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/vaccinations-reflected-in-reduced-hospitalizations

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...