6 dead, a new daily record, in Yucatan’s COVID-19 battle

The Yucatan Health Ministry’s daily briefing includes a map that shows infections in Merida, where most of the state’s cases have been detected. Photo: Screengrab

The most COVID-19 deaths in a 24-hour period were reported Sunday by Yucatan health officials.

Today also saw the most new coronavirus infections registered in a single day, and a 63% increase from a week ago.

Six fatalities and 55 new cases were announced on the 6 p.m. daily roundup broadcast on social media.

Fifteen of the new cases were in Mérida, followed by nine in Valladolid, seven each in Mama and Umán, two each in Kichil and Sacalum and one in Buctzotz, Chichimilá, Chikindzonot, Hunucmá, Kanasín, Kaua, Peto, Samahil, Seyé, Tahmek, Tekom, Temozón and Xocchel.

That brings to 595 the total number of confirmed cases in Yucatan since March 13; all but seven are Yucatecan. New infections have accelerated as testing has ramped up, cutting into a backlog of suspected cases.

In one day, the municipalities where the COVID-19 pandemic reached increased from 45 to 52; 49% of the state’s 106 municipalities have at least one patient.

A 70-year-old Merida man, with a history of diabetes and COPD, died, as did a 41-year-old Merida woman with chronic liver failure. Their contacts are reportedly without symptoms.

The third case was a 58-year-old man from Tecoh. He suffered from diabetes and hypertension. He lived with 3 contacts, who have no symptoms. An 80-year-old woman from Merida, with hypertension and cardiovascular disease; an 81-year-old Muna woman with a history of diabetes, hypertension and obesity; and a 79-year-old Merida man with diabetes, hypertension and obesity also perished.

In total, 47 people have died in Yucatan from the coronavirus.

Of the confirmed cases, 275 have recovered; 200 are stable and at home and 73 are in the hospital, five fewer than Saturday. The patient who was diagnosed in Canada and is not part of the state’s official count remains hospitalized.

The age range of confirmed cases is from 3 to 94.

Mexico’s Ministry of Health reported 2,154 deaths and 23,471 confirmed infections, adding 1,383 new cases and 93 more deaths Sunday.

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