Peru reports more than 400 deaths from Covid-19 in one day and 65,316 deaths in total (May 13)

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Peru reported 418 deaths and 3,199 contagions by Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, while the country is making accelerated progress in its vaccination campaign, official sources advised on Thursday, May 13.

According to the Ministry of Health report, the total number of deaths due to the pandemic rose to 65,316, with 418 deaths in the last 24 hours, double the number reported on Wednesday.

The total number of infected Peruvians reached 1,873,316 people, of which 3,199 were confirmed in the last 24 hours.

These figures contrast with the estimates of the same ministry, which this week indicated a decrease in the curve of deaths and confirmed cases.

Likewise, the ministry reported 13,316 hospitalized patients, 152 fewer than the previous day, and 2,681 patients on mechanical ventilation in intensive care units (ICU), increasing by five compared to Wednesday.

This Thursday, 700,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine arrived in Peru, and the Minister of Health, Oscar Ugarte, told the press that a similar batch would arrive next week, between Monday and Wednesday, which will allow the immunization of those over 70 years of age to be completed before June.

Ugarte pointed out that the vaccination of those over 70 years old will be completed a week earlier than estimated, and, for this reason, they will call up those over 60 years old in the next few days.

On the other hand, even though the school year throughout the country is being carried out virtually since March, the regional management of the southern city of Arequipa reported that nine schools were holding on-site classes with approximately 400 minors.

Only schools in rural areas of the two provinces of Arequipa are authorized to conduct face-to-face classes on an inter-day basis. With less than 10 students per classroom, these localities do not have Internet access, and the level of contagion is low.