Peru Government struggles to control rising COVID-19 cases in Lima

In the past month, the city of Lima has experienced an upsurge in Coronavirus cases, says César Munayco of the CDC.  The number of infections with COVID-19 caused by lineages of the Omicron variant has more than doubled every week in Lima, from 25 to 28 percent, but most patients with the disease have a moderate case, explains César.

As Director of the National Center for Epidemiology and Disease Control's public health division, Munayco, commented on this rising tide: 

We have witnessed a 25 to 28 percent increase in the cases every week in the last one month. In Metropolitan Lima, we recorded almost 6,000 cases during the peak week and 4,000 cases last week. However, these are moderate cases with very few deaths and minimal hospitalizations.

Among the districts that have seen an increase in Covid-19 cases in Peru are Jesus Mara, Miraflores, San Isidro, San Miguel, Magdalena, and San Borja. However, new cases have remained low in the north-east and south of Lima.

COVID-19 risk groups in Lima

Munayco explained that the ICU occupancy rate is only 18% and that the hospitalizations are about 8%. Most individuals with the disease end up in hospitals, according to him, are older or have comorbidities. However, adults between the ages of 25 and 35 are also at greater risk.

For older adults and senior citizens aged 65 and above, a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is required in case of comorbidities, but many people aren't taking this recommendation seriously and therefore, not going to vaccination clinics," he stated.

In the three waves of COVID-19, not only older adults, but also people aged 40 years and older have also succumbed to the virus.

Alexis Holguin, the Minsa's director of Strategic Interventions, said that the decision to provide the fourth dose to people over 40 is based on scientific studies published in Israel and the FDA's advice.