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

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Panama Covid-19 cases on a downward trend

Positivity at 19.9%.

Posted 07/02/2022

Covid-19  cases in Panama continue to decline with the  Health Ministry (Minsa) reporting on Monday, February 7,  1,614 new infections in the previous 24 hours.

According to the ministry report, 8,099 tests were applied for positivity of 19.9%.

13 deaths have been reported and three from previous dates have been updated for a total of 7,860 deaths and lethality of 1.1%.

Active cases dropped to 36,499, of which 656 are hospitalized 577 in the ward, and 79 in ICU.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/panama-covid-19-cases-on-a-downward-trend

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New covid cases decline but 22 deaths

Posted 08/02/2022

The decline in active in new cases of Covid-19 continues but on Tuesday, February 8 there were 22 deaths, largely among the unvaccinated.

There were, 3,180 new According to the  Minsa report, 17,789 tests were applied to detect the infected, for a 17.8% positivity.

Active cases total 33,763, and 592 are hospitalized of which 73 are in ICU.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/new-covid-cases-decline-but-22-deaths

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12 covid deaths as positivity falls to 14.5%

Posted 13/02/2022

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) reported on Sunday, February 13, that 12 people died from Covid-19 bringing the accumulated number of deaths to 7,950

"Of the 12 deaths reported for today, 9 did not have the complete vaccination schedule or even did not have any doses," said the Minsa.

The Minsa reported 1,203 infections and 8,276 tests were applied for a positivity of 14.5%, which represents a sharp decrease compared to previous days.

Active cases total 21,713, while those hospitalized add up to 468, (402 in wards and 66 in intensive care )

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/12-covid-deaths-as-positivity-falls-to-145

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Covid-19 misinformation slows child vaccinations

Posted 15/02/2022

Misinformation about the covid-19  vaccine in children between 5 and 11 years, is hindering reaching the goal of vaccinating more than half a million children in the country.

Data from the  Ministry  of Health shows that vaccination is slow and February 13, only 137,232 pediatric doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine had been applied, of the 372,000 doses that have arrived in the country - that is, 36.8%.

Javier Nieto, president of the Panamanian Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, attributed the situation to factors such as the fear of parents regarding the safety of the vaccine, caused by misinformation, and the perception that Covid-19 is not as aggressive in children as in adults and added that there are individuals who, with the desire to gain prominence,  who have made slanderous arguments against the vaccines available in the country, alleging serious adverse events, including deaths.

Misinformation is mainly spread via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and WhatsApp, and the spread intensified when Minsa began vaccinating children on  January 7.

He argued that the health authority must exercise its leading role, sanctioning those who promote slanderous arguments with the aim of generating fear and, in turn, gaining popularity or prominence at the expense of an unprecedented health situation.

Meanwhile, the infectologist, pediatrician,  Xavier Sáez-Llorens indicated that another factor that causes vaccination to be slow is the legitimate perception that Covid-19 is not as aggressive in children as it is in adults.

He pointed out, the pediatricians who work in the hospitals are witnesses that the infection is not so benign, and that of the thousands of hospitalized they have had in the two years of the pandemic, a third of those admitted have been managed. in intensive care units (ICU) and that at least 1% of these children die from Covid-19

For Sáez-Llorens, it is important that parents become aware of the need to vaccinate their children, especially now that the beginning of the school year is approaching.

He noted that more than 30 million children have been vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia,  and Panama, demonstrating an excellent safety profile.

Children's Hospital
In Panama, the fourth wave of the pandemic, driven by the variant  Ómicron, generated an increase in cases detected in the Children's Hospital in January of this year.

There was an exponential increase in cases from week one (January 2 to 8); with a maximum incidence peak in week three (January 16 to 22), when 155 cases were registered; and with a downward trend in week four (January 23 to 29), with 132 infections.

Of those 483 cases detected at the Children's Hospital, 90 required hospitalization (18%), and 8 of the patients were admitted to intensive care units three deaths of children from Covid-19 were recorded in January, a figure similar to that reported in the 12 months of last year.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/covid-19-misinformation-slows-child-vaccinations

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Panama updates vaccination rules for incoming travelers

Posted 16/02/2022

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) issued a decree on Wednesday, February 16 establishing that travelers entering the country must have the full vaccination schedule against Covid-19 or at least two doses.

“Any traveler who enters the national territory by air, land or sea, using commercial or private means, must have the complete schedule or at least two doses of the vaccine against the SARS-CoV2 virus, which causes the known contagious infectious disease. such as Covid-19, according to the national vaccination program approved by their country of origin or provenance”, says the decree.

It is explained that to comply with the requirement, the traveler must digitally register proof of vaccination prior to the trip or physically present the immunization card at the entry point of the country.

In the case of travelers who are not vaccinated or have not received at least two doses against the new coronavirus, in accordance with the immunization program of their country of origin or provenance, they are required to present a Covid-19 test ( PCR or antigen) with a negative result of up to 72 hours of validity. or carry it out at their cost at the port of entry.

Since January 28, Panama considers the three doses against the virus as a complete vaccination scheme but this will take effect from February 20.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama-updates-vaccination-rules-for-incoming-travelers

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OPINION: Unjustified deaths on the rise

Posted 15/02/2022

THE EFFORTS carried out by the Health personnel, in order to immunize the child population (from 5 to 11 years of age) are being hampered due to the enormous misinformation that circulates among the population, which puts at risk. the lives of minors because, with vaccines available, they are not being vaccinated due to the decision of their parents, who obviously pay more attention to misinformation. It seems that these people are not aware of the deaths that are recorded among hospitalized patients due to the lack of complete vaccines and that the deaths and infections of Covid-19 among children have skyrocketed in this fourth wave. On average, the unvaccinated reach 80% of those who have lost their lives in recent weeks. But, in addition, the decision of these parents affects the rights of other children, whose relatives, responsibly, have vaccinated their children, but who will face the risk of contagion once classes begin in person, with children who have not been immunized. The longer this situation continues, the more difficult it will be to get out of this painful situation, which has tens of thousands of people out of work and a noticeably depressed economy, while unjustified deaths increase. – LA PRENSA, Feb. 15

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/opinion/opinion-unjustified-deaths-on-the-rise

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Doctor fined $6,000 for posting covid-19 misinformation

Posted 17/02/2022

Dr. Marta María Roa De Gracia de Salteiro has been fined $6000 by the Ministry of Health (Minsa), because she made “statements in alternative media attributing deaths in children, adults and health professionals to vaccination against Covid-19 without providing scientific medical evidence, among other faults.”

“By hindering, with her statements, the vaccination actions established by the health authority, Dr. Roa has violated article 20 of Law 48 of December 5, 2007, which regulates the vaccination process in the Republic of Panama.”

It also points out that it violated Resolution No. 1420 of June 1, 2020, which establishes the mandatory use of masks "by inciting the population not to use the chinstrap and personally not to use it, as there is evidence during a protest in the Supreme Court of Justice”.

A report from Minsa indicates that the doctor offered unauthorized statements in the media and social networks on November 15, 2021, November 16, 2021, and January 21, 2022.

“In these statements, Dr. Roa encourages the population not to get vaccinated against Covid-19. She assures that there are more than a thousand deaths due to the vaccine in Panama, that there are deaths of children and adults due to the vaccine, that healthy people are dying after applying the vaccine, that there is death among health professionals who attend hospitals, among other indications given without providing scientific evidence, ”

http://Doctor fined $6,000 for posting covid-19 misinformation

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Covid-19 deaths reach 8,000 mark

Posted 19/02/2022

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) reported Friday, February 18, 8,000 accumulated deaths due to Covid-19 since March 2020.

In the l  previous 24 hours 4 deaths have been reported and 3 from previous dates have been updated, for a lethality of 1.1%.

Meanwhile, 8,963 tests were applied to detect  1,219 the newly infected, for a positivity level of 13.6%. 378 are hospitalized  273 in rooms and 55 in intensive care units.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/covid-19-deaths-reach-8000-mark

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83.6 % of Panamanians have received Covid vaccine

Posted 20/02/2022

A total of 7,499,942 doses of vaccines against Covid-19 have been applied in Panama, according to the report of the Expanded Program of Immunization of the Ministry of Health (Minsa).

Of the total figure, 3,319307 correspond to first doses and 2 ,916049 to second doses. In addition, 1,254,108 booster doses have been placed in the country.

Meanwhile, the coverage of the target population is 83.6% with first doses and 73.5% with second doses.

While 47.3% of the target population already has booster doses and a total of 28.5% pediatric doses have been applied among children aged 5 to 11 years.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/836-of-panamanians-have-received-covid-vaccine

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Decrease in main indicators, but pandemic fourth wave continues

Posted 25/02/2022

Although there has been a decrease in the main indicators of the pandemic –such as deaths, hospitalizations, and positivity- the fourth wave of covid-19 in Panama has not passed says Melva Cruz, national director of Public Health of the Ministry of Health (Minsa), who called on the population to maintain biosecurity measures such as physical distancing, use of masks and frequent hand washing. In addition, the official urged the population  to get the vaccine against Covid-19, "since there is a significant percentage of people lagging behind in immunization against the virus."

She explained that to estimate the end of the fourth wave, the Rt (retransmission) must be reduced below 1; positivity is less than 5%.

The epidemiological report from the Minsa on  Thursday, February 24, reveals that in the last 24 hours 11 people died from Covid-19, which brings the accumulated number of deaths to 8,058.

There were 787,  new infections detected after applying 8,631 tests, which showed positivity of 9.1%. The total number of cases since March 2020, when the pandemic arrived in the country, is 753,694.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/decrease-in-main-indicators-but-pandemic-fourth-wave-continues

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New cases of Covid -19 continue to fall

Posted 01/03/2022

The Ministry of Health (Minsa), on Monday, February 28, reported 4 deaths and 236 new cases of Covid-19, in the previous t 24 hours.

With these new figures, the accumulated number of deaths from the disease increases to 8,083 and the number of positive cases to 755,498, since March 2020, when the virus arrived in the country.

To detect new infections, 4,217 tests were carried out for positivity of 5.6%.

There are 5,559 active cases, of which 5,380 are in home isolation and 179 hospitalized (153 in rooms and 26 in ICU).

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/new-cases-of-covid-19-continue-to-fall

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Drastic drop in Covid-19 cases brings Panama near control level

HEALTH Minister Luis Francisco Sucre.

Posted 04/03/2022

A drastic drop in daily cases as well as those hospitalized with covid-19 in recent days, compared to January has been reported by the Minister of Health, Luis Francisco Sucre.

"Again we are close to entering a pandemic control area, fortunately, the numbers continue to drop," the minister said on his Twitter account.

However, he indicated that in the following two weeks “an increase in the number of cases could be seen as thousands of Panamanians traveled last weekend to the different provinces to take advantage of their days off. They also visited beaches and rivers.

Until Thursday, March 3, the positivity of cases was 6.3%. On January 23, positivity was 36.28%, one of the highest so far this year.

Meanwhile, the number of people in intensive care units was 24, according to Thursday's report.

The World Health Organization indicates that positivity of 5% or less allows the Covid-19 pandemic to be kept under control.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/drastic-drop-in-covid-19-cases-brings-panama-near-control-level

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Health Ministry guidelines for return to classrooms

Posted 05/03/2022

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) has issued a new Biosafety Sanitary Guide for the prevention and control of Covid-19 in official and private educational centers, higher technical institutes, and universities

The guide establishes that all educational entities must have a protocol, where mechanisms are established to implement and monitor compliance with the prevention and control measures recommended for a safe return to classes.

The Ministry of Education (Meduca) has reported that this school year- 954,233 students will return to classrooms after two years of absence due to Covid-19.

The regional directorates of the Minsa must coordinate with the Meduca and the National Council for University Evaluation and Accreditation of Panama the inspections that are considered necessary to verify compliance with the sanitary regulations.

Health Committees
It was also agreed that official and private education centers must set up their "Special Health and Hygiene Committee for the Prevention and Care of Covid-19", made up of a minimum of two to six people, depending on the size of the institution.

The members of this committee – made up of the campus management, teaching staff, administrators, and parents' association – will be responsible for organizing, implementing, and daily monitoring the prevention and control actions of the established measures.

The guide establishes that all centers must comply with biosecurity measures for the prevention and control of SARS-CoV-2, including hand washing, use of masks, physical distancing, and face shields. In addition, the cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, waste management, special schedules, monitoring of members of the educational community, and stress management must be complied with.

The entry of visitors, volunteers, or other non-essential personnel into educational centers should also be limited.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/health-ministry-guidelines-for-return-to-classrooms

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Vaccination not mandatory for return to school

Posted 06/03/2022

“We reiterate to the population that vaccination against Covid-19 at the national level is voluntary and is not considered a mandatory requirement for returning to classes,” the Health Ministry (Minsa) highlighted on its Twitter account on Sunday, March 6, the day before the return to classrooms.

The Minister of Education, Maruja Gorday de Villalobos, stated that about 80% of the student population over 12 years of age is vaccinated against the new coronavirus. Of the immunized teaching staff, the figure exceeds 95%.

"There are no restrictions to start classes at the national level," she said.

Previously, the authorities have informed that the student population will be immunized against the virus with the start of classes, but that each student must have authorization from the guardian. This procedure will also apply to swabs.

In a statement, both entities reiterate that the Ministry of Social Development will continue with economic support "to the beneficiary population without conditions."

In addition, the Meduca will guarantee the entrance to the classrooms of all the students without distinction. At the same time, the Institute for the Training and Development of Human Resources (Ifarhu) will maintain the system of educational scholarships for students who meet the established requirements without additional conditions.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/vaccination-not-mandatory-for-return-to-school-1

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School vaccination against covid and other diseases starts Mar.14

Posted 07/03/2022

Vaccination  against covid-19 and other diseases will start in Panama schools on March 14, as part of the strategies to protect the population from the virus at the start of the 2022 school year.

Yaritzel Ríos, regional director of Health of San Miguelito, announced that the nursing teams of the Ministry of Health (Minsa) already have a schedule for immunization in schools nationwide and that it would start next Monday.

Ríos affirmed that not only will they be immunizing against the coronavirus, but other vaccines from the scheme contemplated by the Expanded Program on Immunization will also be applied, such as measles, tetanus, against the human papillomavirus (HPV), among others.

She called on parents to send their children's vaccination cards in order to see what vaccines they need and ensure that they have the complete schedule.

“And also that they authorize being able to vaccinate children. Remember that vaccination is the decision of each parent and this will be done with prior authorization, ”said Ríos.

She reiterated that the Covid-19 vaccine is safe since its efficacy has been proven. According to Minsa data, some 80% of students have received covid vaccinations.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/school-vaccination-against-covid-and-other-diseases-starts-mar14-1

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3 covid-19 deaths  -  test positivity at 5.2%

Posted 08/03/2022

Three people have died in the last hours due to Covid-19, reported the Ministry of Health (Minsa) on Tuesday, March 8.

There were 382 new infections registered in the last 24 hours. They applied 7,350 tests for positivity of 5.2%.

Active cases total 3,030, with 149 hospitalized (127 in the ward and 22 in intensive care units.)

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/3-covid-19-deaths-test-positivity-at-52

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Covid-19 indicators improve but too early to declare victory

Posted 09/03/2022

Panama has shown indicators of Covid-19  not seen since mid-December when before the presence of the Omicron variant was detected.

There are 3,113 active cases and the percentage of positivity is between 5% and 6%, something that has not happened since the epidemiological December 19 -25. Five percent or less in the positivity of the tests indicate that the pandemic is under control, according to the World Health Organization.

There are 138 hospitalized, and, of these, 115 are in the ward and 23 in intensive care units.

The average number of cases during the last week, between February 27 and March 4, was 369 per day, a figure very similar to that registered in the week of December 12 to 18, when the average daily cases were 355.

For epidemiologists and public health specialists, the first 15 days of March will serve to observe how much the cases will increase after the start of the school year.

According to public health specialist Jorge Luis Prosperi, “it is not time to claim victory” if you want to maintain control of the pandemic.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/covid-19-indicators-improve-but-too-early-to-declare-victory

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Covid-19 positivity shrinks to 4.5%

Posted 11/03/2022

The Ministry of Health reported on Thursday, March 10, three deaths due to Covid-19.

There were 310 new positive cases but 6,875 tests revealed that positivity shrank to 4.5% and active cases fell to 3,066.

Those hospitalized are 135 patients, of which there are 116 in a ward and 19 in intensive care units.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/covid-19-positivity-shrinks-to-45

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Covaxin  against Covid-19 gets Health Ministry approval

Posted 12/03/2022

The National Directorate of Pharmacy and Drugs of the Ministry of Health (Minsa) approved the use of the Covaxin vaccine against the coronavirus.

According to Minsa, the authorization was given after the portfolio presented by the manufacturer was analyzed and reviewed, detailing that Covaxin is indicated for active immunization against SARS-CoV-2 virus infection for young people from 18 years.

The entity also clarified that this biological has a complete two-dose vaccination schedule. In Panama, the complete vaccination schedule currently includes three doses from the age of 16 of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines.

Covaxin, which is manufactured in India, "should be postponed in individuals suffering from acute febrile illness/acute infection."

There is also no data on its use in people who have previously received other vaccines against the virus, which has caused 8,131 deaths in the country since March 9, 2020.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/covaxin-against-covid-19-gets-health-ministry-approval

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Panama has removed the list of High Risk countries. Check the flowchart at https://igopanama.com/covid-entry-requirements/ for the latest information

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A pandemic of the unvaccinated

Posted 18/03/2022

A report from the Ministry of Health (Minsa), reveals that 96.1% of the people who died from Covid-19, from February 2021 to March this year, did not have the complete vaccination schedule while 82.5% of people hospitalized in the ward do not have their three doses.

Despite the fact that scientific evidence shows that vaccines against Covid-19 are effective and safe, there is a considerable number of people who refuse to be vaccinated, which leads to the highest number of deaths as a result of the disease being recorded.

The latest Minsa report details that, of 2,249 people who died from February 21, 2021, to March 11, 2022, 2,161 did not have a vaccination scheme; while 88 were vaccinated with three doses (3.9%), but suffered from other diseases that aggravated their situation.

Among those who died without the complete vaccination schedule, it is specified that there were 1,466 without any dose; 202 with one dose, and 493 with two doses.

Regarding hospitalizations, 82.5% of those who are in the ward do not have a complete vaccination schedule, against 15.8% who do and 1.7% who do not apply because they are under 5 years of age.

While in intensive care units (ICU), 88% are not vaccinated against Covid-19 and 12% of those hospitalized do have a complete vaccination schedule.

Since vaccination began in Panama, on January 21, 2021, until March 16, 2022, a total of 7,789,018 doses of anti-covid vaccines have been applied.

Antivaxxer challenge
Paulino Vigil, a researcher of the National Research System of the National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation, stressed that health authorities have reiterated that there are no deaths from the Covid-19 vaccine and invited deniers and anti-vaccine to disclose publicly any case they know.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/a-pandemic-of-the-unvaccinated

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Cortizo opts for continued mask-wearing

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Posted 19/03/2022

Despite the decrease in Covid-19 cases , which on Friday marked a 4.4% positivity President Cortizo announced that for the moment he will not relax the measure of wearing masks, both outdoors and indoors

“When the time comes to decide that we can, at least outside, go out without a mask, I will be the first to say it is time. Meanwhile, I feel that it is not prudent”, said the president in Capira on Friday, March 18 during a “Community Work Tour” on Friday, March 18, where he inaugurated a new school, delivered high genetics stallions to small producers, and awarded benefits to 18 institutions for a total amount of $3,253,730.

The debate
In recent weeks, the debate has arisen to end the use of masks outdoors. 

In the opinion of Eduardo Ortega Barría, vaccine advisor to the Ministry of Health and national secretary of Science, Technology, and Innovation, it is still advisable to keep the mask on, in offices, hospitals, public transport, and schools.

But in the opinion of the pediatrician and clinical researcher Xavier Sáez-Llorens, the use of the mask should be gradually made more flexible, from outdoor activities at the beginning to indoor activities later, always taking care of the groups at greatest risk of developing severe Covid-19.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/cortizo-opts-for-continued-mask-wearing

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Panama regains control of Covid-19 pandemic

The return to school will not trigger a fifth wave

Posted 20/03/2022

In March, the country regained control of the Covid-19 pandemic, since, during the last two epidemiological weeks, the percentage of test positivity has been below 5%.

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers that a 5% positivity or less, keeps the virus under control. Something that has not been observed since mid-December 2021, when the fourth wave conditioned by the s Omicron variant began.

In the epidemiological week (March 13 to 19) 1,854 cases were reported, an average of 265 new infections per day. This represents a decrease, when compared to the previous week (March 6 to 12), when the average number of cases was 282 per day.

 New deaths,  averaged three per day,  the same as the previous week. these are positive figures for specialists like Arturo Rebollón and Eduardo Ortega, agree that there should not be a fifth wave or rebound in cases associated with the opening of schools on March 7.

For Ortega, there is a high rate of vaccination, so the start of classes should not have a negative influence on the pandemic, while Rebollón considers that attention must be paid to the communities, in which the sources of Covid-19 contagion are reported, so that they do not bring the virus to schools.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama-regains-control-of-covid-19-pandemic

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No covid deaths and positivity falls to 3.6%

Posted 20/03/2022

The Ministry of Health (Minsa)  reported on Sunday, March 21, the first day this year with no deaths from Covid-19 in the country.

There were 193  new cases and  5,416 tests were carried out for positivity of 3.6%.  There are 110 hospitalized patients, 96 in a room and 14 in intensive care.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/no-covid-deaths-and-positivity-falls-to-36

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The use of masks in open spaces ends on March 28

Posted 25/03/2022

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) confirmed on Friday, March 25, that from  Monday, March 28, the measure of the use of masks in open spaces is lifted.

Ivette Berrío, Minister of Health in charge, and Eyra Ruiz, Minister Health Counselor held a press conference on Friday announcing the measure and others following the decrease in the number of Covid-19 infections.

Berrío explained that the new sanitary measures were agreed with the Minsa technical team, the Consultative Council and approved by President Laurentino Cortizo.

The Minsa recommended vulnerable people, such as adults over 60 years of age, with incomplete vaccination schedules, and people with chronic diseases, to carry out an individual risk assessment according to the environment in which they find themselves and to use the masks.

On the other hand, the mandatory use of the mask in closed or interior spaces is maintained and in open spaces where a meter distance between people cannot be maintained, such as crowds or lines to enter activities, like concerts.

However, it was also clarified that students must keep masks inside the classrooms but they will be able to remove them when they are outside the classrooms, such as on the playing fields.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/the-use-of-masks-in-open-spaces-ends-on-march-28