Chile, in health collapse and record of daily infections

In fact, the sharp rise in infections has led the government that runs Sebastián Piñera orders the containment of 28 municipalities and quarantines all travelers; measures which will begin next Thursday and will be in effect for at least a month.

The Trans-Andean country’s health ministry reported 7,084 new cases of Covid-19 in past 24 hours, reaching 925,089 infections since the first was confirmed. The previous highest figure was recorded on June 14, with 6,983 cases.

In this context, both official reports and the Chilean media report on the virtual collapse of the health system, with intensive care bed occupancy close to 90% on a national level.

“The growth of infections continues and we haven’t denied it, we admit it”, said the Minister of Health, Enrique Paris, during the daily report submitted this Saturday, which also reported the largest number of daily PCR tests (swabs): 76,275.

The increase in cases contrasts with the success of the vaccination process in Chile, with more than 5.5 million people receiving at least the first dose, while Chilean government estimates that by June 30, 80% of the population will be vaccinated of about 19 million inhabitants.

Meanwhile, the government reported on Saturday new restrictions for foreign visitors and increased quarantine for travelers arriving from Brazil from 10 to 14 days, a measure taken last week by the new strain of coronavirus detected in this country.

Visitors to Brazil must be confined to temporary hotels for the first 72 hours in Chile and, after presenting a negative PCR, they will be allowed to continue quarantine at home. The rest of the travelers who arrive in the country will have to complete a 10-day quarantine in sanitary residences.