COVID-19 positivity rate hits 28 percent in Mexico as SARS-CoV-2 quietly ravages the country
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 18, 2024 4 months, 3 weeks, 3 days, 22 hours, 40 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: Cases in Mexico Increasing
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have increased in Mexico in recent weeks, and the positivity rate for the infectious disease is on the rise as well. Data published by the federal Health Ministry shows that the number of confirmed COVID cases increased every week between May 26 and June 29. There was a week-over-week decline in confirmed cases between June 30 and July 6, but the number could later be revised upward.
COVID-19 positivity rate hits 28 percent in Mexico as SARS-CoV-2 quietly ravages the country
While confirmed COVID-19 infections have recently been on the rise, case numbers remain quite low, especially when compared with figures from 2020 and 2021. Between 100 and 200 confirmed cases were reported every week between early May and late June, before the number rose above 200 in the final week of last month. Case numbers were significantly higher earlier in 2024, peaking at above 700 in Epidemiological Week 6, which ran from February 4 to 10.
Rising Positivity Rates
Meanwhile, the COVID positivity rate - the percentage of people who tested positive for the disease - rose during seven consecutive weeks to reach 28% between June 30 and July 6. That’s the highest positivity rate recorded so far this year.
https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/927530/Informesemanal_ERV_SE27_2024_08.07.2024.pdf
The positivity rate “is a critical measure because it gives us an indication of how widespread infection is in the area where the testing is occurring - and whether levels of testing are keeping up with levels of disease transmission.”
“A high percent positive means that more testing should probably be done - and it suggests that it is not a good time to relax restrictions aimed at reducing coronavirus transmission.”
Interestingly, there has been no
COVID-19 News updates or reports about the growing COVID-19 situation in Mexico by any mainstream media.
More than 8,000 Confirmed COVID Cases So Far This Year
The Health Ministry said that 8,075 confirmed cases of COVID were recorded between January 1 and July 6, a 44% decrease compared to the same period of last year. There have been 375 deaths associated with COVID this year, the ministry said. Mexico has recorded more than 330,000 COVID-related deaths, the fifth highest total in the world. Its per-capita mortality rate is the 32nd highest in the world, with 261 deaths per 100,000 people.
COVID-19 Situation in Mexico: Mid-2024 Update
Following the World Health Organization's declaration of the end of the global COVID-19 emergency, Mexico has officially concluded its national emergency response as of May 9, 2023. The country is now implementing a Long-Term Management Plan for COVID-19,
focusing on ongoing surveillance through sentinel health units (USMER) and RT-PCR testing.
Current Statistics
In 2023, Mexico reported 20,264 confirmed COVID-19 cases through RT-PCR tests. In 2024, there have been 98,370 suspected cases, with 8,075 confirmed cases.
Epidemic Trends
The weekly positivity rate showed an increase at the beginning of 2024, peaking in epidemiological week 6, then declining until week 13, and gradually increasing again until the current week. Compared to the previous four years, 2024 has shown a lower disease burden.
Mortality and Severity
As of the latest report, there have been 375 deaths due to COVID-19 in 2024. The case fatality rate is 4.6%. Most cases are ambulatory, with 64.2% not requiring hospitalization. However, severe cases are more common in children under 1 year, children aged 1-4 years, and adults over 65 years, who are more likely to require hospitalization.
Age and Gender Distribution
The most affected age groups are individuals over 65 years (with an incidence rate of 14.73 per 100,000 inhabitants), followed by those aged 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, and 30-34 years. The median age of those infected is 43 years, and 59.3% of the cases are women.
Regional Distribution
The states with the highest number of COVID-19 cases are Mexico City, Querétaro, State of Mexico, Nuevo León, and Puebla. Mexico City alone accounts for 25.8% of all cases. Regarding fatalities, the highest numbers have been reported in Mexico City, Puebla, Jalisco, State of Mexico, and Hidalgo.
Genomic Surveillance
As of late June 2024, the predominant SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in Mexico include JN.1.7, JN.1, and JN.1.18. The country continues to monitor these variants through the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID).
Conclusion
Mexico's approach to managing COVID-19 has shifted from emergency measures to a more sustained, long-term strategy. Continuous monitoring and adapting to new data are crucial as the country navigates the post-emergency phase of the pandemic. With ongoing surveillance and targeted health responses, Mexico aims to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and protect public health.
Looking Ahead
As Mexico continues to deal with the remnants of the pandemic, the emphasis on genomic surveillance and targeted health responses will be critical. The lessons learned over the past few years have equipped the health authorities with better tools and strategies to manage and mitigate the impact of COVID-19. The ongoing challenge is to ensure that these measures are adapted in real-time to respond to the ever-evolving nature of the virus.
Public health officials and the government are urging the public to remain vigilant and adhere to recommended health guidelines to prevent another surge in cases. The journey ahead is one of cautious optimism, with a clear understanding that while the emergency phase may be over, the fight against COVID-19 continues.
For the latest
COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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