Medical authorities worried about spike in infections after festivities
As of January 13th, seven out of ten patients who were seen for a suspected case of Covid-19 tested positive at the Jocotepec Community Hospital. Photo: File.
Héctor Ruiz Mejía: Hospitals in the municipality of Jocotepec are preparing for a new wave of coronavirus cases after the Christmas and Señor del Monte festivities, medical authorities asserted.
As of January 13th, seven out of ten patients who were seen for a suspected case of Covid-19 tested positive at the Jocotepec Community Hospital.
Now they are faced with the forecast of a 35 percent increase in the number of cases, estimates the municipality’s medical authorities.
«Fortunately, the vaccine has had an beneficial effect and the severity of the cases have decreased; however, we are preparing the facilities in case treatment is needed», assured the medical authorities of the Community Hospital.
They explained that there are currently six beds available in case of pneumonia complications from the coronavirus or for patients who may need oxygen supplementation.
For the past week, the number of positive results at The Rafael Gómez Rodríguez clinic has remained at an average of around three confirmed COVID-19 patients per day, explained Ricardo Alvarado, director of the clinic.
Although he agrees with the «favorable» observations of the Community Hospital regarding the seriousness of the illnesses, he showed his concern regarding the outlook for the increase in infections that are predicted, following the festivities of the Señor del Monte.
«Unfortunately, it has been very difficult to stop this spread of the disease, and given the effort that families from Jocotepec had already made, we don’t understand why the decision was not made to cancel the festivities. Even so, sanitary protocols were maintained at the festivals,” commented the doctor. However, the doctor himself acknowledged that it was almost impossible to maintain a healthy distance during the festivities.
Given the estimate of medical authorities of a 35 percent increase in positivity for the next few weeks, the Rafael Gómez Rodríguez clinic has already adapted a special room for extra coronavirus patients.
The space will have eight beds and the necessary medical supplies, including oxygen in case patients arrive with complications in order to avoid a past hospital occupancy crisis.
Medical authorities urged the community to evaluate the need to attend the upcoming festivities. If you attend, be fully aware of the risk and take all necessary precautions.
Translated by Colleen Beery
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