Mexico, in clear phase of decline of the pandemic, according to authorities

The coronavirus pandemic in Mexico is in a "clear phase of decline", said Tuesday the Undersecretary of Prevention and Health Promotion, Hugo Lopez-Gatell. 

"Good news. The aspect of the epidemic in Mexico is already very positive, is in a clear phase of decline," the official said during the morning conference from the National Palace. 

He explained that, according to statistics, the country has been in a "sustained decline" for the past six weeks and that, consistently, the number of daily cases and deaths is decreasing in most of the territory. "We are always cautious and until we see a clear trend, we don't consider that we are already in that process of decrease," he said. 

He explained that the epidemic has shown a clear downward trend during the 30th, 31st and 32nd weeks since the first infection was detected in the country, at the end of February. 

As for hospital occupation, he noted that hospitals dedicated to treating coronavirus patients are in a process of unemployment, and he said that eight out of every ten people who were hospitalized have recovered. 

However, he stressed that these data do not indicate that the health emergency in Mexico has ended, "the epidemic is still active, but it is declining, in decline," he said. 

Mexico has recorded a total of 525,733 positive cases and 57,023 deaths due to the coronavirus, despite this, López-Gatell said that "it is very clear that a stable trend is being maintained" and stressed that 359,347 people have recovered from the disease. 

Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said that thanks to the agreement between Mexico and Argentina and the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, all of Latin America will soon have access to the future coronavirus vaccine. 

He explained that it is expected to be next November when the first results will be available and if it is approved "production and logistics must begin" almost immediately. He said the cost of the vaccine will be between three and four dollars, but in Mexico it will be free and of universal access. 

Similarly, he highlighted the international cooperation that has taken place in the midst of the pandemic and reported that this week Mexico received medical supplies from the governments of Germany and Qatar, while the Mexican and Japanese governments provided equipment to the Honduran Executive.