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Health authorities warned that the average age of admission for severe COVID-19 patients has dropped alarmingly due to the relaxation of health measures.
Peru's Society of Intensive Care Medicine (SPMI) on Monday warned that intensive care units (ICU) are collapsing nationwide due to the increase in severe cases amid the second wave of COVID-19.
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In Lima and Callao provinces, there are only six ICU beds with ventilators left, according to the latest report from the Health Ministry (Minsa).
In the capital city, 37 severe patients are waiting to be admitted to the Villa Mongut Hospital. Meanwhile, there are three ICU beds available in Minsa hospitals and one in the private sector.
"Medical devices are becoming scarce because some of them are failing. They did not get preventive maintenance because hospitals have been working for over nine months in a row," SPMI president Jesus Valverde said.
The specialist also warned that Peru "does not have human resources to face the second wave of contagion. The pandemic has shown that there is a lack of intensive care physicians throughout the country."
✅As a part of #CryptoAgainstCOVID, #Binance Charity (@BinanceBCF) has donated a total of 30,400 KN95 masks with a total value of $60,800 to Peru in Latin America!
— Binance Charity (@BinanceBCF) January 9, 2021
��We are here to stand together to support the hospitals and healthcare workers battling the COVID-19 Pandemic. pic.twitter.com/3wuoDLDxc8
The government "must reinforce the primary care service and the early detection of COVID-19 cases to prevent the increase of severe patients," he emphasized.
Peru's Health Insurance (EsSalud) noted that an increasing number of young patients are being intubated due to COVID-19.
"The average age of admission for severe SARS-COV-2 patients has dropped alarmingly due to the relaxation of health measures," EsSalud stated.
The country does not yet have a date to begin mass vaccination. However, health authorities informed that the distribution and application of the anti-COVID-19 vaccine will be free of charge throughout the country.
Peru is leaving this communty unprotected, they wear banana leaves as they can't access masks. pic.twitter.com/oBnd2uCP9J
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) April 20, 2020
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