Brazil is currently the center of attention in Latin America's COVID-19 outbreak but other countries in the region are also starting to see a fast-spreading outbreak that ensues by the day.
Peru Reports Over 8,000 New Cases
Peru's health ministry on Sunday reported 8,805 new coronavirus cases, bringing the national total to 164,476. There were also 135 new deaths from the virus, bringing the national fatality toll to 4,506.
In Latin America, Peru is the second hardest-hit country, only second to Brazil. The capital city of Lima remains the hardest-hit and it accounts for over 100,000 cases in the entire country.
The country also extended its lockdown through June 30 as part of the government's efforts to control the ongoing outbreaks.
Hydroxychloroquine to Remain a Treatment Option
Health minister Victor Zamora said over the weekend that Peru will continue to use hydroxychloroquine in treating COVID-19 patients despite multiple inquests among health authorities about the controversial drug.
The statement came after the World Health Organization (WHO) warned against the drug's use among coronavirus patients due to recent studies indicating that the mortality rate in people being treated with the drug is higher compared to those who used other treatments.
Last week, France banned the use of the anti-malaria drug following the WHO's warning as well as an advisory from two French bodies against the use of hydroxychloroquine. It remains to be seen whether Peru will follow suit.
Mexico Logs Over 3,000 New Cases
In Mexico, deputy health minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell announced Sunday that the country recorded 3,152 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the national infection total to 90,664.
There were also 151 new deaths from the fast-spreading disease. The country now has a total of 9,930 deaths.
While Mexico is not as hard-hit as Brazil, cemetery workers are anticipating a surge in new infections as well as deaths from the novel coronavirus as the country eyes a gradual economic and social reopening.
Mexican President Claims COVID-19 'Tamed'
Last week, Mexican President Andrés López Obrador said the coronavirus in his country "has been tamed." He said Mexico is "doing well" in containing the virus. However, Mexico has more deaths than Peru.
Furthermore, the country has yet to experience a significant decline in new infections and falling death tolls on a daily basis. Health experts also said there is a good chance the government is trying to imitate what the White House has been doing.
U.S. President Donald Trump said during the early days of the pandemic that the world's biggest economy had adequate containment materials and a strong health system to keep the virus from spreading.
Alejandro Macías noted that Mexico may be doing the same - putting up a front of a supposed strong front against COVID-19 amid political and diplomatic pressure.
Chile Breaches 1,000-Mark in Deaths
The Chilean health ministry on Sunday reported 57 new fatalities from the coronavirus, bringing the country's fatality toll to 1,054. The country also reported 4,830 new confirmed cases. Chile now has nearly 100,00 infections at 99,688.
The country still has 55,907 active coronavirus cases, while 42,727 have been registered as recovered patients. Since the outbreak in Chile started, there have been a total of 582,440 COVID-19 tests carried out.
A quarantine imposed on 39 towns in the country has been extended until June 5 as part of the efforts to control the sudden spike in new infections over the last several weeks.
