The epidemiological report of the Ministry of Health of Panama reported that for this Sunday some 9 new deaths were caused as a result of COVID-19, which brings to 2,423 deaths in the country from this virus.
Regarding COVID-19 infections, the report highlights that some 633 new cases were detected, which increase the accumulated infections to 115,286. Data that arises after the application of some 5,249 new tests.
In the country, some 91,809 patients have recovered from this disease and 21,054 remain as active cases.
19,819 people are confined to their homes and 392 have been accommodated in hospital hotels.
The report also highlights that there are currently 733 people hospitalized in wards with COVID-19 and 110 are confined in intensive care units.
NOTE:
Some critics have argued that the Minsa reported case fatality rate (number of COVID linked deaths / number of known cases) in reality should be much lower, as the number of reported cases does not necessarily reflect the truth, as the testing does not cover the whole population, and many cases go undetected. At the same time, the government can't report what they don't know, but readers should note that the numbers may tell a different story from the reality.
Also, how a "COVID death" is counted is also unclear, as many of the deaths correspond to underlying previous conditions, such as cancer, blood diseases, other age related diseases etc., and are reported as COVID deaths since the patient also had the coronavirus. On the other hand, many viruses are known to lower the patient's immunity and expose them to other diseases. As an example most HIV/AIDS patients don't die from the virus itself, but from other derived diseases such as pneumonia or regular flu.
In lack of better information sources, PanaTimes continues to report the government (Minsa) announced figures. Readers are adviced to use their own judgement.