In the last four weeks, the collection of information from the Covid-19 Citizen Observatory on new cases and suspected deaths from the coronavirus has been affected. Every week the number of departments from where the reports arrive has been decreasing, due to the “fear of the population to provide information as a result of the politicization of the disease, the criminalization and threats against citizens for providing information on the pandemic ”, they indicate.
During the week of November 18 to 24, the Observatory only received reports from four departments of the country, managing to register eight new suspected cases and two new deaths suspected of covid-19 in this period.
The reports came from the departments of Managua, Jinotega, Madriz and Matagalpa. In none of these were new cases indicated, neither of new deaths, among health personnel with associated or presumptive symptoms of covid-19.
With these new reports, the Observatory adds a cumulative – from March 14, 2020 to November 24, 2021 – of 31,222 suspected infections and 5,947 deaths from pneumonia or suspected from covid-19.
For nine weeks, the Ministry of Health (Minsa) has also maintained the trend of decreasing positive cases of covid-19. From November 16 to 23, they identified 129 infections; In addition, they maintain that there was only one death from covid-19, as it has been reported every week for more than a year.
So far in the pandemic, the Minsa has a cumulative 17,550 confirmed cases of covid-19 and 212 deaths from this disease.
The Observatory highlights that, despite the decrease in cases and deaths from covid-19, “we must not lower our guard and we must continue to take preventive measures.”
Circulation of the virus is not ruled out
In addition, he warned that “not receiving reports of new suspected cases or new suspected deaths does not rule out the circulation of the virus in other departments of the country and rather reflects the ability of our collaborative networks to collect and systematize information.”
They indicate that they have perceived a “normalization of the disease” and many have the appreciation that “there is no need to report”, for which they called on the population to “continue reporting suspected cases and deaths from covid-19”, Therefore, they point out, “by sharing information we contribute to protecting the health and life of all Nicaraguans.”
Independent monitoring highlights that in the country there are factors that indicate that, although fewer cases are being reported, the population should continue taking preventive measures, since in the country activities that imply agglomeration of the population continue to be promoted. which increases the risk of contagion. In addition, there is limited access to diagnostic tests, which reduces the possibilities of taking timely control measures; slow progress in vaccination; and the presence of the four Variants of Concern of Covid-19 andn the national territory, which increase the risk of a high degree of contagion and severity of the disease.
They warned that the information provided by the Ministry of Health (Minsa) “does not allow a clear vision of what is happening with the pandemic in the country, so that the population can better assess the risks to which it is exposed and take measures preventive ”.
