Hours before the height of Yucatán’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, the state health department sent a sobering message about the resurgence of COVID-19.
Friday’s new coronavirus cases totaled 112, the first three-digit total since October, and a nearly 81% increase in 24 hours.
The news follows numerous holiday celebrations combined with the arrival of a highly transmissible variant of the virus.
New cases presented mainly mild symptoms, data indicates. Quarantines nearly doubled overnight, to 96, while admissions in public hospitals rose by five for a total of 41.
Two Mérida residents perished after fighting COVID-19 while nine patients were declared recovered.
COVID numbers first shot up on Tuesday, when 52 new infections were detected. While Wednesday’s total represented a small drop, to 48, Thursday’s infections reached 62.
The new Omicron variant has infected 13 known patients in Yucatán and 18 in Quintana Roo, but that tally is likely well below the real number of cases. While the new strain is less damaging to the lungs, it transmits 70% faster, doctors said.
