Panama registers 2,678 deaths from COVID-19 and exceeds 132,000 infections
According to the epidemiological report of this Thursday, October 29, with 798 new cases, the country registers a cumulative total of 132,045 infections of the virus at the national level.
Currently in Panama there are 108,342 recovered patients and a case fatality rate of 2.0%.
Active patients total 21,025; 20,359 people are reported in home isolation, of which 19,854 are at home and 505 are in hotels.
Regarding hospitalizations, it was reported that they total 666 and of them 547 patients are in the ward and 119 are in intensive care units (ICU).
To date, 7,939 tests have been applied, for a percentage of positivity of 10.1%.
During to refine details of alliance between the private sector,
civic clubs and the Minsa to combat COVID-19, it was decided that the home care program that began in Juan Díaz will be strengthened, extended to Tocumen, on December 24, Don Bosco and Las Mañanitas, which provides care home to people affected by COVID-19.
The home care program is a structured model for COVID-19 positive patients, supported by the Telemedicine program, where medical services are provided through a Telephone Attention Center, explained the Minister of Health, Luis Francisco Sucre.
At the meeting with Sucre, in addition to the directors of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries, representatives of the All Panama Movement and the United for Panama Foundation were present.
NOTE:
Some critics have argued that the Minsa reported case fatality rate (number of COVID linked deaths / number of known cases) in reality could 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 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.
