It details that for today there are 45 new deaths, reaching the accumulated figure of 4,283 deaths due to COVID-19 , maintaining a case fatality rate of 1.6%.
The epidemiological report details that to date 208,620 recovered people are reported.
On the other hand, 52,053 cases that remain active, of which 49,015 are in hospital hotels and 681 remain in isolation at home.
Regarding hospitalizations, a total of 2,128 patients currently remain in the ward, while 229 are in intensive care units.
The Minsa points out that in the last hours 19,830 new tests have been carried out to detect COVID-19 and the positivity rate is 26.1%.
Some observers 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, the method used in Panama to define 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.
There have also been reports on the inaccuracy of the PCR test, which would compromise the figures mentioned above.
In lack of better information sources, PanaTimes continues to publish reports with the government (Minsa) announced figures. Readers are adviced to use their own judgement. We are happy to publish more accurate reports, if they become available to us or our contributors.