With 344 positive tests for the Ómicron variant and active cases registering an increase of 11.8%, in the last week, 20 of the 52 communes of the Metropolitan Region (RM) have had an increase in infections by Covid-19 in the recent seven days, that is, almost 40% of the municipalities.
According to The Mercury, the rise that is registered in the capital area is driven by communes in the eastern sector. The Queen leads the increase, with 185.7% in the last seven days, going from 7 to 20 cases, followed by Vitacura, which rose from 19 to 51 (168%). Third appears Lo Barnechea, from 20 to 49.
Lidia Amarales, academic deputy director of the Center for Teaching and Research at the University of Magallanes, told the morning that “I would pay attention to this situation, because you have to see if these cases are related to trips abroad or not, and do sequencing to see if they are Ómicron and have a more accurate diagnosis of why in those communes the cases have been on the rise. Obviously this is transitory, because these infections are going to pass to other communes. “
It is worth mentioning that, considering the current pandemic situation, the Executive announced that the announced reopening of five land border crossings will be postponed. The Chacalluta complexes in Arica and Parinacota will not be enabled; Paso Agua Negra, in Coquimbo; Pino Hachado, in La Araucanía; Cardenal Samoré, in Los Lagos, and Paso Dorotea, in Magallanes. The only one that will operate at the moment is Los Libertadores, in the Valparaíso region.
In any case, Dr. Amarales emphasizes that “the key to really control this disease is vaccination. It is the most important health and population measure.”
