COVID numbers dropping, Yucatán returns to a green traffic light
Yucatán is finally back in green.
The federal government last Saturday put the state in the least-restrictive symbolic epidemiological traffic light. Today, the state government agreed.
The dueling traffic lights created confusion, but it’s only the state’s map that matters because it’s the governor’s office and the legislature that enacts dry laws, curfews, and other painful restrictions under a health emergency.
Yucatán first became a “green state” on Nov. 22 but lost its standing on Jan. 13 when a post-holiday surge delivered a shock. Daily cases peaked at over 1,000 by late January and renewed restrictions on public events were put in place.
Under green, society can operate nearly as normal, although facemasks are still standard apparel in public.
Favorable data includes ICU occupancy, at 23.6% and decreasing. Total hospital beds are at a 54.5% capacity rate that is also in decline. The positivity of cases is still alarming, at 76.6%, but also in decline, state medical authorities said Thursday.
The day’s new coronavirus infections totaled 217, down from 298 the previous day. Five fatalities were also announced, half the number reported a week ago. One victim was just 37 years old, but had comorbidities, doctors said.
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