The Ministry of Health warns that while covid cases are increasing, vaccination is decreasing

In the last week, from July 1 to 7, 2022, 23,667 new cases of covid-19 were reported in Colombia and 132 citizens died from the disease. This exponential growth had already been warned by the Ministry of Health and the respective entities, which indicated that the country would experience the fifth peak of contagion after a year of the last wave that reached record figures.

Well, Gerson Bermont, director of Promotion and Prevention of the Ministry of Health, noted that the most serious thing about the increase in covid cases is that vaccination has decreased significantly.

“At the present time, vaccination is decreasing, which is parallel to the increase in cases and deaths.”

Bermont also made the following analysis: “In week 70, when 283,228 doses were applied, 52 deaths were recorded; in week 71, when 221,126 doses were applied, the number of deaths rose to 100; and in week 72 with 202,983 doses applied, the deceased are already at 132″.

In this same sense, Claudia Cuéllar, director of Epidemiology and Demography of the Ministry of Health, called on the EPS to vaccinate as many members as possible. Despite the fact that more than 70% of the Colombian population has received the first two doses, it is necessary to apply the third and fourth doses, especially in populations at higher risk: people with comorbidities, those over 60 and under 3 years of age.

“We are making a call to the EPS and IPS, professionals and all the authorities, because although we have said that we are facing a respiratory peak, we are still in a pandemic” Cuellar said.

In addition, he asked health personnel to speed up the diagnostic processes: “It is very important that professionals also understand that although we have to make a differential diagnosis, it is necessary that we have to do the tests that are required in the risk groups. which are those over 60 years of age, people with comorbidities and those under 3 years of age”.

Areas of the country most affected by the fifth peak

The city most affected by the increase in cases of the virus is Bogota, with 8,846 new cases, followed by Cauca’s Valleywith 3,059, and Antioch, with 2,184 cases in the last week.

In the fourth box is Cundinamarca, with 1,283 cases, Barranquilla, with 1,215; Cartagena, with 960; Santander, with 773, and Córdoba, with 500 cases in recent days. On the other hand, the departments with the fewest cases, according to the report, are San Andrés, with 26; Amazonas, with 7; Guaviare, with 6; Vichada, with 4, and Guainía, with one.

The authorities called for them not to let their guard down and, for example, wear face masks on public transport.

KEEP READING