Worrisome figures of daily infections delivered this morning by the Ministry of Health. In the last 24 hours, the highest number of new COVID-19 cases in the last six months was reported, with 3,588 infections.
Experts are concerned about the true effectiveness of the new quarantines to reduce mobility.
The last daily balance of the Ministry of Health confirmed 3,588 new cases, the highest number since July 5 of this year, when 3,685 new infections were reported.
The positivity was 7.09%, and a total of 50,583 PCR tests were reported in the last 24 hours.
To this day, in addition, there are 16,355 active cases, the highest number since the 16,695 recorded on September 14.
In addition, the unfortunate number of 52 deceased persons registered in the DEIS records in the last 24 hours was reported.
Regarding the Assistance Network, it was reported that there are 794 people hospitalized, and of that total 611 are on mechanical ventilation. In addition, the Minsal reported that there are 301 ventilators available.
Mobility and quarantines
In relation to infections, the engineer and academic from the University of Chile, Marcelo Olivares, warned that the focus of attention must be on interregional trips during the summer.
According to a study carried out by the Complex Engineering Systems Institute, after the arrival of new quarantines in some cities of the country, the mobility has not decreased as much as in March, when the measure was applied for the first time.
An example of this is Chillán, a commune that registered a 42% decrease in mobility with the first quarantines, while in September it was only reduced by 25%.
The deputy director of the Science and Life Foundation, and academic from the University of Valparaíso, Tomás Pérez-Acle, explained that this is caused by “exhaustion” on the part of people, due to the lack of effectiveness of the measures imposed by the authorities .
Pérez-Acle also raised his concern about the arrival of the new English strain of COVID-19, which is 70% more contagious. According to the expert, the impact of this new variant can generate a risk of collapse in the health system.
