Without Respite The High Level Of COVID-19 Infections In Puerto Rico!
As of March 12, Salud was serving some 197 active outbreaks representing 896 cases and zero deaths, but as of April 30, the agency was serving 1,191 outbreaks that included 5,685 identified cases, 21 hospitalizations and 9 deaths, according to the most recent report.
The indicators of positivity and incidence of COVID-19 cases in Puerto Rico continue at high levels, the Department of Health indicated in its most recent report on the epidemic situation, without being able to establish a downward trend in infections. An increase in the number of daily deaths associated with the coronavirus was also observed.
Given the current scenario, the Office of Epidemiology and Health Research recommended that the population keep prevention measures active, “use of masks, hand washing, physical distancing, opt for activities in open spaces, not crowded, and continue promoting vaccination. ”.
According to the report corresponding to epidemiological week 17 (April 24 to 30, 2022), as of May 1, 2022, Puerto Rico was on an increasing trend with a rate of 771.55 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with a level high community transmission (red color). The positivity rate, on the other hand, was estimated at 21.47%.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) establish that for the classification of low level community transmission, positivity must be less than 4.9%. Within the analysis period from January 31 of this year, the positivity data reached a minimum value of 3.30% on March 10, 2022.
Regarding deaths, Health reported that “they remained stable” with a seven-day average of 2.3 daily deaths. However, an increase was observed in relation to epidemiological week 16 (April 17 to 23), when the average number of deaths was 0.6 deaths per day.
Broadly speaking, the level of transmission has been increasing during these past weeks, says the report. In epidemiological week 14, the number of municipalities that were in a high level of transmission was 68. For weeks 15 and 16, the high classification extended to the 78 municipalities of the archipelago, and continued in this way in week 17 , corresponding to the most recent report.
Health also stated in the report that, as of May 1, 2022, “Puerto Rico was on an increasing trend” in terms of hospitalized patients, with a seven-day moving average of 221.1 inmates, as well as a seven-day moving average of 18.6 people confined in intensive care units, classified as a “stable” trend. On Jan. 31, the number of hospitalizations was 484 with a seven-day moving average of 566.9 confined patients, including 100 in intensive care with a moving average of 113.7 people, so a “high trend,” the report said.
In its daily report, Health reported this Sunday 257 people hospitalized, including 44 pediatrics. Of the total number, 20 adults and two minors are confined in intensive care.
Appealing to citizen responsibility, Governor Pedro Pierluisi has reiterated that, despite the increase in cases, he will not impose further restrictive measures by executive order, unless an increase in hospitalizations endangers the country’s hospital system. Until now, the only mandatory measure for citizens in general is the use of a mask when attending mass events of 1,000 people or more.
There is also a pattern of increased active outbreaks attended by municipal case and contact tracing teams. During epidemiological week 17, 1,191 outbreaks were reported, including 5,685 identified cases, 6,648 close contacts, 21 hospitalizations, and 21 deaths. A total of 935 outbreaks were classified under family (78.5%), 16 under work (1.3%), 202 under educational institutions (17%), one under shelters (0.1%), six under travelers (0.5%) and 31 under community (2.6%).
The change is notable when looking at the figures for early March versus the most recent. As of March 12, Salud was attending to some 197 active outbreaks that represented 896 cases, 1,459 identified close contacts, 7 hospitalizations, and no deaths. As of April 23, corresponding to week 16, the agency was dealing with 997 outbreaks that represented 4,533 identified cases, 5,754 identified contacts, 16 hospitalizations, and 3 deaths.
Health insisted on the importance of going for a COVID-19 diagnostic test to promote early detection and link to available treatments for people with a higher risk of complications, especially if they have symptoms, are a close contact, have recently traveled or have 50 years or older. The agency reported that it will continue its free testing events throughout the island this week.
