Category Archives: Coronavirus

Friday, May 29, 2020

It appears that the Ministry of Health is going to start publishing the daily COVID-19 statistics later now. Today is the fourth day in a row that it’s come out 2-3 hours later than they’ve been publishing them for many weeks. I’m not sure what is the reason, but, since this is important daily information, I’m going to hold off each day until this information comes out.

Congress Gives Administration Vote of Confidence

After a marathon session lasting until 3 am this morning, Congress gave the administration of President Martin Vizcarra and Prime Minister Vicente Zeballos a vote of confidence by a vote of 89-35 with 4 abstentions.

Zeballos later posted on his Twitter account, “We humbly receive the trust granted by the Congress and, therefore, we renew our commitment with the firm will to overcome the adversities and improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable sectors. Working for the country is the commitment that prevails today.”

Utility Services May Be Cut Off After June 3

The Supervisory Body for Private Investment in Telecommunications (Osiptel) will allow operators to suspend services for non-payment. This suspension will begin gradually from June 3 and will apply to those customers who have not paid in installments.

The ban on cutting off services was announced in Resolution 035-2020-PD/OSIPTEL, but due to high levels of late payments this decision has been taken to ensure the sustainability of services. According to the new Resolution N° 043-2020-PD/OSIPTEL, it is specified that the cut of services will be made from June 3rd in homes that have 3 or more pending receipts.

As of June 12, service will be temporarily cut off for customers with two or more unpaid bills. The measure is valid until the end of June, so from July 1st the Conditions of Use of Telecommunications services will be in effect.

However, this measure will not affect those who have contracted the service during the state of emergency. Likewise, the company must inform the user of the cut at least two days in advance and indicate the amount pending and the deadline for cancellation.

In the case of telephone services, access to emergency and Civil Defense numbers must be maintained.

Daily COVID Updated from Minsa

The Ministry of Health announced today that the total number of COVID-19 cases in Peru has risen to 148,285. This was the biggest one day rise so far with 6,486 new cases reported.

There are 8,433 patients hospitalized with Covid-19, of which 940 are in ICU with mechanical ventilation. So far 62,791 people have completed their period of home isolation or have been discharged from a health facility. The number of deaths has risen to 4,230.

Lima continues to be the region with the highest number of Covid-19 infections to date with 92,057 followed by the regions of Callao (10781), Piura (7180), Lambayeque (7060), Loreto (4109), La Libertad (3816), Ucayali (3645), Ancash (3384), Arequipa (3146), Ica (2691), Junín (1755), Tumbes (1219), San Martín (1151), Cusco (916), Huanuco (811), Cajamarca (700), Ayacucho (679), Amazonas (563), Moquegua (462), Madre de Dios (450), Pasco (448), Huancavelica (407), Tacna (372), Puno (321) and Apurimac (162).

Gran Mercado Mayorista in Lima Reopens

Pavilions A and B of the Great Wholesale Market of Lima, located in Santa Anita, reopened today for public attention, after 9 days were closed after detecting that 132 merchants were positive to the rapid test of coronavirus (covid-19).

Representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Municipality of Lima and the Joint Command of the Armed Forces verified the completion of the cleaning, disinfection and reordering tasks in both pavilions.

The capacity of people in the pavilions will be limited, signs about maintaining social distance have been installed, and the disinfection points at the entrance are operational.

Misc News Highlights

• Beginning June 1 and lasting through the month, markets in Chachapoyas will be open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 6 am until 1 pm. Commercial establishments are allowed to open from from 6 until 8 pm.
  
  
• In a major show of confidence for the Peruvian economy’s outlook the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved an $11 billion line of credit for Peru.
  
  
• While COVID-19 is taking the spotlight, pneumonia has killed more people (42) in the Cusco region than the coronavirus (8) so far this year. All cases have been among the elderly over 65 (38) and infants (4).
  
  
• The 5th Mountain Brigade Cusco Motorized Infantry Battalion No. 30 delivered basic necessities to 80 families in the town of Canchanura near Cusco, who are living difficult times in this quarantine.
  
  
• More 100 health workers at the Cusco Regional Hospital of the 118 who contracted COVID-19 are gradually returning to work after completing their quarantine and beating the coronavirus. All infected workers have been under home care and none were hospitalized.
  
  
• ProMart is now accepting online orders in Cusco. This morning I was able to place an order for a small space heater using a US credit card. The earliest available date for delivery was June 11 so I guess I’ll see what happens. It seemed to go though fine with an emailed receipt and a text message with the order number.
  
  Oeschle also says that they are opertaing in Cusco now, but I haven’t tried it yet.
  
  
• EsSalud’s Áncash Healthcare Network has begun to install a temporary rapid construction hospital in Chimbote (Áncash) with the capacity to admit and provide specialized treatment to 100 patients suspected or diagnosed with COVID-19.
  
  
• Indecopi registered around 1,027 complaints from consumers who made online purchases during the first 72 days of the state of emergency. The companies with the most complaints are Metro, Wong, Inkafarma, Plaza Vea, Tottus, Ripley, Oeschle, Tiendas EFE and La Curacao, pollería Rokys, Saga Falabella and Sodimac Peru. According to Wendy Ledesma, director of Indecopi’s National Consumer Protection Authority, the most frequent complaints are related to non-delivery of products and errors in product delivery.
  
  These actions are breaches of the Code of Consumer Protection and Defense, so if you have any claim you can call the number 224 7777 or use this “Reclama Virtual” link.

COVID Reports from Across Peru

Most Regional Health Directorates post graphics each day on the current situation in their region each day. I’m going to try to keep up with these as best as I can for those regions that are particularly problematic so people can keep up with what is specifically happening in other parts of the country where there are particularly serious problems.

Most regions post daily reports late on the night before (but not all) so this is the latest information available. (Be sure to click on individual graphics to see a larger size.You might have to click on the top half of the graphic to click. Sorry, it’s a bug I haven’t been able to solve.)

——————————————

Please feel free to leave a comment below. I love to hear what people think! If you like this, you can share this page with the links below or even subscribe so that you’ll be notified when I post again. (I don’t sell anything here, so you don’t have to worry about that.)

Please share Explore Cusco:

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Prime Minister’s Address to Congress

Today was one of the most important events in Peruvian government as the current administration went before Congress and presented their policies and discussed action in asking Congress for a vote of support.

The Prime Minister, Vicente Zeballos, made the presentation today several months late as the Council of Ministers has essentially been making policy and law for the country during the current State of Emergency since March 16.

I won’t pretend to understand all the details of this day, but I’ve been reading dozens of articles both today and in previous days and the importance of the day can’t be overstated.

Zeballos spent about 2 1/2 hours talking to Congress. At the time of my posting in the early evening, members of Congress are giving speeches regarding the day’s proceedings and it appears to be a lot of political posturing presented from representatives of each of Peru’s political parties.

[If I understand correctly — and no promises on this — then at the conclusion the Prime Minister will ask for a vote of confidence from Congress.]

Zeballos opened by saying thanking all the front line workers including health professionals, soldiers, and police who have done the hardest work in the crisis.

He then talked about the challenge of modernizing the health care system including their initial challenge of providing “essential medicines at reasonably prices and guaranteed quality” which will include, in the coming days, making sure that pharmacies have a stock of generic drugs.

Zeballos emphasized the comprehensive program of health that the government has carried out along with the massive improvements in the health system’s capabilities.

He pointed out that there were only about 2000 beds for COVID patients and 100 ICU beds across the Country at the start of the crisis. Now there are nearly 11,000 hospital beds available along with 1,090 ICU beds.

“By the end of June,” he said, “hospital beds will total 20,000, while ICU beds will amount to 2,000.”

He assured Congress that without the quarantine and curfew, Peru would be approaching 83,000 deaths and “could even reach 400,000.”

Zeballos also noted that doctors and scientists at the National Institute of Health are developing a molecular COVID-19 test which will enable Peru to be independent of the global markets for the currently available tests.

He talked about the issues that come to light regarding the rainforest regions. “The pandemic has made more evident the neglect in which our Amazon has found itself,” said Zeballos. “These gaps will not be closed from year to the next. However, we have a firm commitment to work to begin paying a historic debt to the people and the communities of the lungs of our country and the world.”

Daily COVID Update from Minsa

The Ministry of Health announced today that the total number of cases of COVID-19 in Peru has risen to 141,799.

There are 8,395 patients hospitalized with Covid-19, of which 943 are in ICU with mechanical ventilation. So far 59,442 people have completed their period of home isolation or have been discharged from a health facility. The number of deaths has risen to 4,099.

Lima continues to be the region with the highest number of Covid-19 infections to date with 87,478 followed by the regions of Callao (9953), Lambayeque (7020), Piura (6942), Loreto (3959), La Libertad (3818), Ucayali (3530), Ancash (3455), Arequipa (2921), Ica (2662), Junín (1675), Tumbes (1219), San Martín (1093), Cusco (916), Huanuco (780), Cajamarca (669), Ayacucho (639), Amazonas (546), Moquegua (447), Pasco (426), Madre de Dios (402), Huancavelica (383), Tacna (372), Puno (322) and Apurimac (152).

Seven Cusco Pharmacies Closed for Illegal Drug Sales

The Multisectorial Technical Group of Prevention and Fight against Illegal Trade and Inspection of Pharmaceutical and Related Products (Contrafalme) intervened in 22 pharmacies in the districts of Cusco, Santiago, San Sebastian and Wanchaq.

According to Diario Correo seven drugstores were closed because they “did not comply with the rules on authorization, illegal sale of medicines, controlled medical devices, counterfeiting and because they did not have the corresponding technical management.”

The Counterfeit Health Directorate also seized a large number of products that are harmful to health of which 66% had no health registration and 24% were of unknown origin or had an expired date.

Chinchilla Rat Seen at Machu Picchu Again!

After being considering extinct for several years, a new remote camera has captured a photo of the chinchilla rat in the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary for the first time since 2009.

Deputy Minister Calls for End to Informal Economy

The Ministry of Production (Produce) will work on formalization strategies that will benefit emerging entrepreneurs who are currently marketing their production in different markets and traveling fairs in the country, said the Vice Minister of Mype and Industry, José Salardi.

“Informality in Peru has played a bad trick on us and it is time to eradicate it aggressively. In that line, the sector sees in emerging entrepreneurs a great potential to access all the benefits that the state can offer them if they set up their businesses legally”, he said.

He also said that the government has allocated resources to provide financing to the mypes (medium and small businesses), as well as permanent training to entrepreneurs to be able to sustain their businesses. However, he stressed that these supports are only available to formal businesses.

Applications for the “Turismo Emprende” Program

The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) has extended until Friday, June 5, the deadline for applications to the “Turismo Emprende” Program – 2020 Edition. This initiative is scheduled to deliver S/ 2.8 million.

Those who win, in addition to using the money to finance and strengthen their tourism or craft businesses, may use the amount awarded to cover staff costs, services, among others. It is important to mention that the money awarded is non-refundable (non-returnable).

For more details, tourism entrepreneurs and artisans should visit www.turismoemprende.pe. There, they will find, in addition to detailed information and testimonials, the modalities of application and rules of the contest.

It is important to mention that in addition to the modification of the application date, the Mincetur has decided to authorize applicants to submit sworn statements of those requirements that require legalization by a notary or justice of the peace, or must request documents from SUNARP. These must be regularized within a maximum period of ten calendar days after the closing of applications.

HOW TO APPLY?

Those interested in applying only need to prepare a project and send the information requested in the bases. There are two ways to apply: one for Tourist Enterprises and the other for Artisan Enterprises.

Those interested can send their questions to the e-mail consulta@turismoemprende.pe.

MODALITIES OF APPLICATION

a) COMPETITION AIMED AT TOURIST ENTREPRENEURS: Entrepreneurs in the fields of accommodation, food and tourist operations can participate in two ways:

Modality I – Undertaking my tourism business: Promotes the creation and development of innovative tourism enterprises. Individuals or groups can apply for financing from S/ 30 thousand to S/ 60 thousand.

Modality II – Growing my tourism business: Promotes the consolidation of ongoing tourism enterprises. Individuals with a business and legal entities with two or more years of registration in the Sunat can apply. The financing granted is between S/ 60 thousand and S/ 150 thousand and the participant must contribute at least 20% of the total project.

b) COMPETITION DIRECTED TO CRAFTSMANS: Artisans from the following lines of crafts can participate: leather and skins, imagery, wood, vegetable fiber, carpets and rugs, textiles, hats and headdresses, carved stone, ceramics, glass, furniture, gourds, wax and paraffin, paintings, musical instruments and prints, dyes, precious and non-precious metals. There are two modalities:

Mode I – Undertaking my craft workshop: Promotes the development and formalization of new and/or innovative craft enterprises, or those in an early stage of growth. Individuals or groups can apply if they are registered in the National Register of Artisans (RNA) for at least one year. The participant may apply for funding from S/ 10 thousand to S/ 18 thousand and must contribute at least 10% of the total project.

Modality II – Growing my craft workshop: Promotes the improvement, expansion or consolidation of enterprises, businesses or units of the craft that require improvement, innovation, certification and / or improvement of commercial aspects. Natural persons with a business and legal entities, with two or more years in the Sunat, can apply and be registered in the RNA for at least two years. The participant may apply for financing from S/ 18 thousand to S/ 30 thousand and must contribute at least 20% of the total project, which may be valued from the tools that their workshop already has.

Misc News Highlights

• President Martín Vizcarra, the Ministers of State, and other high officials of the Executive will reduce their salaries 10-15% for the next three months, according to an Emergency Decree published this Thursday in the Legal Regulations of the newspaper El Peruano. The money will be used for financial assistance to the relatives of health personnel who died as a result of their activities in the containment of COVID-19 in the country.
  
  
• The president of the Board of Directors of the Urban Transport Authority (ATU), María Jara, announced that coronavirus testing of public transport drivers will begin this week or at the latest on Monday. “As of Friday or at the latest on Monday we are going to start testing public transportation drivers for coronavirus,” she said. “As many as possible, we hope; because we know that being inside the transport units they are somehow vulnerable to a possible infection with COVID-19.
  
• Fitch Ratings’ senior director for financial institutions in Latin America, Andrés Márquez, said that Peruvian banks presented a good level of capitalization and provisions to face the coronavirus pandemic.
  
  
• National Police and personnel from the Municipality of Lima this morning evicted a large number of street vendors who had taken over several blocks of Grau Avenue in the Cercado district of Lima. However RPP Noticias reported that the informal vendors moved to nearby streets.
  
  
• Reports out of the UK say that the English Premier League will resume play (without fans in the stadiums) on June 17.

COVID Reports from Across Peru

Most Regional Health Directorates post graphics each day on the current situation in their region each day. I’m going to try to keep up with these as best as I can for those regions that are particularly problematic so people can keep up with what is specifically happening in other parts of the country where there are particularly serious problems.

Most regions post daily reports late on the night before (but not all) so this is the latest information available. (Be sure to click on individual graphics to see a larger size.You might have to click on the top half of the graphic to click. Sorry, it’s a bug I haven’t been able to solve.)

——————————————

Please feel free to leave a comment below. I love to hear what people think! If you like this, you can share this page with the links below or even subscribe so that you’ll be notified when I post again. (I don’t sell anything here, so you don’t have to worry about that.)

Please share Explore Cusco:

Wednesday, May 26, 2020

Tourism in Peru

Carlos Canales, president of the National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur) estimates that Peru “will not have foreign tourists until July 2021 nor national tourists until the end of this year”.

“Tourism is the activity that has been hit the hardest. There is stock for food, shoes, for the textile sector, but there is no stock for passengers. One cannot mobilize. The reactivation measure for hotels, tourist transport and restaurants are not working because there are no users,” he said in Ampliacion de Noticias.

Canales also said that, to date, the tourism sector has lost 200,000 jobs “and by the end of May we will have 400,000 jobs lost.”

Canales said he submitted proposals to the Ministry of Economy and Finance so that the tourism sector could survive. “We are trying to keep jobs. We have proposed a labor subsidy. Today the businesses will be restructured and will be left with a small team. Ideally, they will receive support from the state.”

War Erupts Near Cusco

In a conflict over land and community boundaries that has reportedly been going on for about 45 years, about 300 residents of the Sahua Sahua – Omacha (Paruro) went to the settlement of K’uchiyo located in the campesino community of Ccacho Limamayo – Chamaca (Chumbivilcas) at about 4 am Monday morning and attacked the residents there.

As a result, 14 people were injured (including four seriously) and almost all the ranch and grazing huts were burnt to the ground as well as all of the community’s stored food.

Despite calls, police were reportedly very slow to arrive and when they did, the four policemen who responded had to use tear gas and their own gunfire in dealing with a fierce battle that lasted most of the day.

Daily COVID Update from Minsa

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) announced that the total number of COVID-19 cases in Peru has reached 135,905.

8,267 patients hospitalized with Covid-19, of which 926 are in ICU with mechanical ventilation.Of the total number of positive cases, to date 56,169 people have completed their period of home isolation or have been discharged from a health facility. The number of deaths has risen to 3,983.

Lima continues to be the region with the highest number of Covid-19 infections to date, with 84,994 followed by the regions of Callao (9495), Lambayeque (6732), Piura (6039), Loreto (3816), La Libertad (3523), Ucayali (3238), Ancash (3196), Arequipa (2787), Ica (2476), Junín (1578), Tumbes (1115), San Martín (1037), Cusco (899), Huanuco (741), Cajamarca (645), Ayacucho (622), Amazonas (533), Moquegua (423), Pasco (416), Madre de Dios (388), Huancavelica (379), Tacna (360), Puno (322) and Apurimac (151).

Misc News Highlights

• Taxis are now operating again Cusco. About 400 taxis are now legally operating again after teh installation of a plexiglass separation between the driver and passengers. that cost each driver about 250-300 soles. New protocols include a limit of two passengers at a time.
  
  
• The director of Las Merecedes Hospital in Chiclayo, Victor Echenadia Arellano, told RPP Noticias that 101 workers were infected with COVID-19, despite the fact that it is not a health centre designated for COVID patients. He reported that 20 doctors, 20 nurses, 30 nursing technicians, 12 obstetricians, and six cleaning workers were infected and one nurse died after being admitted to intensive care for COVID-19.
  

• A new group of 47 health professionals left for the cities of Yurimaguas (26), Caballococha (9) and Requena (12) in the region of Loreto. These professionals are trained in medicine, biology, nursing and obstetrics.
  
  
• 20,400 personal protective equipment (PPE) units and medicines have been sent to the rainforest city of Iquitos (Loreto region) to combat COVID-19, Minsa reported. These supplies included jackets, disposable aprons, and more.
  
  
• Over six tons of supplies were sent to five regions across the country to assist in the fight against this pandemic. 15,340 units of personal protective equipment were distributed in Lima. Another 30,620 PPE units were sent to Lambayeque, 19,260 to La Libertad, 3,390 to Piura, and 14,790 to Tumbes along with plus rapid COVID tests.
  
  
• Starting today, the opening hours of the markets in Trujillo will be extended until 4 pm to avoid crowds and the risk of contagion from COVID-19, announced the provincial mayor, Daniel Marcelo Jacinto.

COVID Reports from Across Peru

Most Regional Health Directorates post graphics each day on the current situation in their region each day. I’m going to try to keep up with these as best as I can for those regions that are particularly problematic so people can keep up with what is specifically happening in other parts of the country where there are particularly serious problems.

Most regions post daily reports late on the night before (but not all) so this is the latest information available. (Be sure to click on individual graphics to see a larger size.You might have to click on the top half of the graphic to click. Sorry, it’s a bug I haven’t been able to solve.)

——————————————

Please feel free to leave a comment below. I love to hear what people think! If you like this, you can share this page with the links below or even subscribe so that you’ll be notified when I post again. (I don’t sell anything here, so you don’t have to worry about that.)

Please share Explore Cusco:

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

I apologize for being so late in posting this update for the past two days, but the Ministry of Health is not posting their daily update on the official COVID statistics for the nation several hours later than in the past. I don’t know if this will continue or not, but I think it’s better to hold off for this important news each day.

And, for what it’s worth, Michi the Wonder Cat wants everyone to know that it’s not his fault.

LATAM Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

Latam, the largest airline in Latin America, filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States on Tuesday.

“On May 26, 2020, LATAM Airlines Group filed for reorganization under the protection of Chapter 11” of the U.S. bankruptcy law, the company said in a statement.

The company’s decision, which includes subsidiaries in Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, will not have an immediate impact on passenger or cargo flights, the statement said. Before the pandemic, LATAM flew to 145 destinations in 26 countries, with about 1,400 daily flights.

“Given the impact that the crisis generated by COVID-19 has had on the aviation industry, LATAM has been forced to make a series of extremely difficult decisions in recent months,” the company’s CEO, Roberto Alvo, said in a video.

The group has secured the financial support of its shareholders, including the Cueto and Amaro families, who have a long-standing relationship with the group and Qatar Airways, who will inject USD $900 million in additional financing under a debtor-in-possession structure.

LATAM and its subsidiaries are also in discussions with the respective governments of Chile, Brazil, Colombia and Peru to seek support in accessing additional financing, protecting jobs, where possible, and minimizing disruption to their operations.

Daily COVID Update from Minsa

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) announced today that the total number of COVID-19 cases in Peru has risen to 129,751.

There are 8,207 patients hospitalized with Covid-19, of which 923 are in ICU with mechanical ventilation. So far 52,906 people have completed their period of home isolation or have been discharged from a health facility. The number of deaths has risen to 3,788.

Lima continues to be the region with the highest number of Covid-19 infections to date with 80,882 followed by the regions of Callao (9122), Lambayeque (6453), Piura (5457), Loreto (3720), La Libertad (3309), Ancash (3249), Ucayali (3238), Arequipa (2694), Ica (2363), Junín (1521), Tumbes (1091), and San Martín (1003), Cusco (896), Huanuco (716), Cajamarca (625), Ayacucho (605), Amazonas (511), Pasco (408), Moquegua (402), Huancavelica (360), Tacna (341), Madre de Dios (339), Puno (300) and Apurimac (146).

Market Hours Change Again in Cusco

Learn Quechua Online

One of the coolest things you can do while on lockdown is learn the language of the Incas. If you don’t live in Cusco or in the surrounding regions then you may it know that it spoken by almost everyone here and millions across the Andes.

Qorich’aska Quispe is an teacher and translator from Cusco who has dedicated a large part of her life to teaching Quechua. Now that Peru is in a state of emergency due to a coronavirus, she continues to teach through social media.

There are currently 6 episodes on her YouTube channel at “Vive El Quechua” and she also has a Facebook page.

Misc News Highlights

• Latin America has surpassed Europe and the US in the daily number of reported Covid-19 infections, according to the director of the Pan American Health Organization. The region “has become the epicenter of the Covid pandemic,” Dr. Carissa Etienne said.
  
  
• The residents of the Mahuayani community in the Cusco province of Quispicanchi blocked the road to the Lord of Qoyllorit’i sanctuary for fear of the COVID-19. The religious celebration which attracts tens of thousands of participants was scheduled to begin today and end on June 2, but was suspended by the Archbishop of Cusco in compliance with the state of emergency due to the coronavirus.
  
  
• Germany has sent 30 ventilators to Peru to be used at Army facilities where 70% of the COVID patients are currently civilians. A statement from the German Embassy in Lima said “Given the long and close ties between the two countries, Germany will not abandon Peru during this crisis. Instead, it will support it actively, decisively and sustainably in the fight against covid-19,” it added.”
  
  
• Only six restaurants out of the seventeen members of the Association of Tourist Restaurants and Related Services of Puno, achieved the authorization to sell food through the delivery service.
  
  
• Today 609 rapid tests were performed on urban public transport passengers in four key points of the city: Villa María del Triunfo, Ventanilla, Chorrillos and Independencia. Of those tested, 136 were positive for COVID-19.
  
  
• The Government reported that it received a donation of 500,000 rapid tests from the National Society of Mining, Petroleum and Energy.
  
  
• The Minister of Health, Victor Zamora, met today with the chief physicians of the 33 first level care facilities in the district of San Juan Lurigancho, in order to inform that the Ministry of Health (Minsa) is committed to strengthening primary health care to address the Covid-19. In San Juan de Lurigancho, Rapid Response Teams and Follow-up Teams will be increased in order to provide Covid-19 positive patients with medicines in their homes. “We require doctors, nurses and technicians to organize themselves into rapid response teams and go out at the call of our patients,” he said.

COVID Reports from Across Peru

Most Regional Health Directorates post graphics each day on the current situation in their region each day. I’m going to try to keep up with these as best as I can for those regions that are particularly problematic so people can keep up with what is specifically happening in other parts of the country where there are particularly serious problems.

Most regions post daily reports late on the night before (but not all) so this is the latest information available. (Be sure to click on individual graphics to see a larger size.You might have to click on the top half of the graphic to click. Sorry, it’s a bug I haven’t been able to solve.)

——————————————

Please feel free to leave a comment below. I love to hear what people think! If you like this, you can share this page with the links below or even subscribe so that you’ll be notified when I post again. (I don’t sell anything here, so you don’t have to worry about that.)

Please share Explore Cusco:

Monday, May 25, 2020

We’re starting week #11 under a national quarantine here in Peru. The Conspiracy Theorists are coming out in full-force as if the Peruvian government’s attempt to deal with a global pandemic is proof that all the YouTube and social media assertions of secret cabals out to control the world is true!

Anyway, I hope everyone is having a wonderful day. Here’s what I’ve been able to gather about what’s really happening in Peru. (I’m still looking for all those riots and protests that were supposed to happen weeks ago.)

Summary of President’s Press Conference

President Vizcarra apologized for being a little confusing in Friday’s press conference. (I guess I wasn’t the only one who thought that!)

He reminded everyone of the curfew hours that cover most of the country (9 pm to 4 am) and that, unless you have permission to work in approved businesses, you are still under quarantine rules as before.

He noted that there are many more groups are being developed to assist people who have tested positive and are under home confinement. About 25% of the hospitals beds are currently available as are 15% of the ICU units while additions to both categories are rapidly being added.

Health Minister Victor Zamora said that the INS (National Institute of Health) is currently working on a molecular test for COVID-19. These are much more accurate, but there is a shortage across the globe because of the demand. He said they hope to have one developed in 2-3 weeks.

Zamora also said that testing data is open and all parties who have looked at it agree that Peru has reached “a plateau” and is decreasing.

“We have substantially reduced the level of contagion in the population,” said Zamora, “and that is what our data shows and that has been corroborated”.

Vizcarra also noted that “The protocols are constantly being evaluated to make them faster and simpler. Sometimes we prefer to go a little overboard to control contagion and then change them, making them much easier to comply with.”

He also talked about the massive testing program that Peru has undertaken to confirm where the virus is concentrated and where their efforts have needed to be focused. [Peru has tested almost double the next closest South American country.]

Update on COVID-19 from Minsa

The Ministry of Health announced that the total number of COVID-19 cases in Peru has risen to 123,979.

There are 8,097 patients hospitalized with Covid-19, of which 909 are in ICU with mechanical ventilation. So far 50,949 people have completed their period of home isolation or have been discharged from a health facility. The number of deaths has risen to 3,629.

Lima continues to be the region with the highest number of Covid-19 infections to date with 77,486 followed by the regions of Callao (8726), Lambayeque (6217), Piura (5457), Loreto (3524), La Libertad (3178), Ucayali (2959), Ancash (2842), Arequipa (2633), Ica (2119), Junín (1470), Tumbes (1074), San Martín (980), Cusco (854), Huánuco (692), Cajamarca (591), Ayacucho (571), Amazonas (460), Moquegua (357), Huancavelica (360), Pasco (387), Madre de Dios (314), Tacna (325), Puno (263) and Apurimac (140).

More Info on Business Re-openings

The automotive workshops will resume their work during the second phase of the resumption of economic activities, said Production Minister Rocío Barrios.

She explained that the automotive workshops are part of the proposal made by the Ministry of Production to the Multisectorial Working Group, which the Government implemented for the economic reactivation, to be included in the list of activities that will restart their work in Phase 2 of the resumption of activities.

Barrios remarked that there are automotive workshops that are already authorized to work, but they only serve vehicles that attend to essential activities. She noted that for now, these workshops are not allowed to serve the general public because the quarantine is in effect.

The head of the Ministry of Production (Produce) said that the second stage of the resumption of activities also provides for hairdressers to attend in their premises by appointment and with reduced capacity.

“It has already been proposed to the Commission, which must validate the proposal. For the time being they can only provide the service at home, either through a company or a person who provides the service. They will not be allowed to provide the service on their premises because there are several people on site, unlike the laundry where one person leaves the garment,” Barrios said on the program Panorama.

Temporary Hospitals in Cusco and Arequipa

The National Health Investment Program (Pronis) will install a total of 400 hospital beds in Cusco and Arequipa and another 46 for Intensive Care Units (ICU) in temporary hospitals. According to Pronis, each temporary care center will have all the complementary services such as air conditioning, negative pressure, and a nurses’ station.

At the Honorio Delgado Hospital in Arequipa, 200 beds are to be installed and another 46 for the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), which would be completed by 8 June. At the Goyeneche hospital, 100 beds are planned to be installed, which could become operational as of 3 June.

In Cusco, 100 beds have been allocated for hospitalization at the Regional Hospital. They are expected to become operational on 7 June.

These centers are expected to operate for a period of 3 months, but if necessary, it would be extended.

Yesterday trucks loaded with the pieces of the modules arrived to Arequipa, and went to the Goyeneche and Honorio Delgado hospitals to start assembling them.

17% of GDP Allocated to Deal With COVID-19 Impact

Economy and Finance Minister María Antonieta Alva said the government’s economic plan to deal with the impact of the new coronavirus pandemic rose from 12% to 17% of the gross domestic product (GDP).

“Within the framework of the delegated powers, we have expanded the plan and now we are talking about one of 17% of the GDP. It is a two-stage plan: one of containment and another of reactivation,” he said.

In an interview with Cuarto Poder, she pointed out that, in two months of the health crisis, the Government has already implemented five percentage points of the GDP. “It is a fairly advanced pace, it can always be improved and I am fully aware of that”, he said.

Alva said that through the Business Support Fund (FAE) more than one billion soles have been allocated to more than 100,000 mypes (micro and small businesses), mainly for debt rescheduling.

“On Friday the auctions for new working capital loans were held with record interest rates. The mypes are used to having interest rates between 20% and even 40% and with the auction they will have an interest rate of 4%,” she explained.

Misc New Highlights

• LATAM has announced that they hope to resume some flights within Peru in July depending on government regulations. “By July, …in Ecuador, Colombia and Peru, work is underway to restart domestic flights soon, all within the limits of government authorizations,” the company said in a statement.
  
  
• The Urban Transport Authority (ATU) has established, by means of a resolution, that the public transport service for Lima and Callao will be carried out “with 100% of the fleet”. They also indicated that the service must “comply with the guidelines, protocols and health standards approved by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Transport and Communications.”
  
  
• La Libertad Governor Manuel Llempén attributed the increase in positive cases of coronavirus to the arrival of people displaced from Lima to his region. [Normally I wouldn’t bother posting a “pass the blame” statement, but the same situation was reported in Cusco as a great many people repatriated from Lima tested positive for COVID-19. Since they were already under a 14-day quarantine, they have been kept isolated until they are cleared and will not spread the virus.]
  
  
• In testing in Mercado Modelo de Barranco, only 1 out of 100 people tested positive.
  
  
• COVID-19 testing was done on passenger at several of Lima’s train stations today. 43.7% of 151 passengers tested positive for COVID-19 at Caja de Agua del Tren Eléctrico station. At the Gamarra station 25% of 150 passengers tested positive. Tests were also carried out on passengers at the Naranjal (15%) and Matellini (13%) stations.

COVID Reports from Across Peru

Most Regional Health Directorates post graphics each day on the current situation in their region each day. I’m going to try to keep up with these as best as I can for those regions that are particularly problematic so people can keep up with what is specifically happening in other parts of the country where there are particularly serious problems.

Most regions post daily reports late on the night before (but not all) so this is the latest information available. (Be sure to click on individual graphics to see a larger size.You might have to click on the top half of the graphic to click. Sorry, it’s a bug I haven’t been able to solve.)

——————————————

Please feel free to leave a comment below. I love to hear what people think! If you like this, you can share this page with the links below or even subscribe so that you’ll be notified when I post again. (I don’t sell anything here, so you don’t have to worry about that.)

Please share Explore Cusco:

Sunday, May 24, 2020

As we reach a milestone of now spending ten weeks under mandatory quarantine, I am committed to using the time to further some projects that I didn’t spend nearly as much time on as planned. With at least five more weeks in quarantine and a growing concern for the spread of COVID-19 in Cusco, it’s time I started spending even more time doing research in preparation for getting out again.

For a year and a half my focus has been on Machu Picchu and the surrounding region. I’ve been able to explore some fantastic places and see things that are rarely seen.

Now it’s time to expand my explorations and that requires some research which I plan to start sharing here.

And with all this time at home still ahead, I have to recognize my “son” who was really angry that I posted a photo of a dog I saw on the street yesterday when he’s here every day!

Okay, the truth, I think he would be happy to have more sleep time without being bothered by this human who keeps waking him up while he’s stretched out in the sun shining through the windows. I’ ve tried to teach him how to help me work on these daily updates, but he’s proven to be useless as an assistant.

So here’s a pic of my buddy, Michi. His name means “cat” in Quechua. I know — not very original — but it wasn’t my idea. Still, I kinda like the name and he seems to like it, too.

What You Can and Can’t Do in Peru

With the extension of the national State of Emergency until June 30, here is a summary of what you can and can’t do thanks to RPP Noticias:

1. You can go to buy food, medicine and the bank, between 4 am and 9 pm, the difference is that now we can go by car, provided that we do not leave our district and that only 1 person goes in the car. When walking on the street, only 1 person per family is allowed — no more going in pairs or groups.
2. You can even go out after curfew and in the car ONLY to take someone to emergency care or to buy medicine.
3. For 1. and 2. you do not need permission to use the car.
4. Medical tests, visiting the dentist, eye doctor, therapist and general medical and veterinary services can be performed.
5. The service of Rappi, Glovo and similar is enabled.
6. It is possible to buy clothes, shoes, household appliances, books, school supplies and office items online only.
7. You CANNOT go to hairdressers. They will not open and they must go to your home. In this case, along with computer technicians, gas station attendants, gardener, electricians, carpenters, laundry, appliance maintenance, equipment repair, hardware stores, cleaning services and home assistance, it is expressly stated that they services will be delivered only at home.
8. You CANNOT go out for sports. Only federated sportsmen and women have been qualified, with prior approval of protocols by the IPD. Includes professional football.
9. It is possible to go to work if our activity is one of those in phase 1 (DS 080) or if they appear in the annex of this new regulation, previous approval of the protocols by each sector. For that you do need to get permission for the use of the car.
10. Children under 14 can go for a walk, with an adult, for 30 minutes, no more than 500 meters from their home. This is the only case in which it is permitted to go out in groups.
11. People over 65 and people at risk due to comorbidities can only go out to buy food, medicine or to the bank, if they have no one to do it for them. They may also go out for emergency care or to collect a benefit or pension or to carry out a procedure that requires their physical presence. If they work, they must give priority to teleworking, but they may go to work if their activity is authorized and subject to the protocols and provisions that have been dictated.

Economic Activities Allowed Beginning Monday, May 25

RPP Noticias prepared this list of the 25 economic activities which will be allowed to resume operation beginning tomorrow.

a) Acquisition, production and supply of food, including its storage and distribution for sale to the public.

b) Acquisition, production and supply of pharmaceutical products and basic necessities.

c) Assistance to health centres, services and establishments, as well as diagnostic centres.

d) Provision of labour, professional or business services to ensure the services referred to in this Annex.

e) Assistance and care for the elderly, children, adolescents, dependents, persons with disabilities or persons in vulnerable situations.

f) Financial institutions, insurance and pensions, as well as complementary and related services that guarantee their adequate functioning.

g) Production, storage, transport, distribution and sale of fuel.

h) Lodging establishments, for the purpose of complying with the quarantine provided or for the accommodation of personnel providing essential services and goods.

i) Communication means and in the case of call centers, only for services related to the emergency.

j) Public sector workers who provide services necessary for the care of actions related to the health emergency produced by Covid-19, as well as those authorized for the resumption of public sector activities, so that they may travel to their work centers.

k) For the fulfillment of the control functions related to the health emergency by Covid-19 within the framework of Law No. 31016, the personnel of the General Comptroller of the Republic and the Institutional Control Bodies are exempted.

Likewise, the personnel of the National Superintendence of Labor Inspection-Sunafil and the labor inspectors of the regional governments are exempted.

l) Services necessary for the distribution and transport of educational materials; the storage, transport, preparation and/or distribution of food from the social program for school feeding.

Hairdressing salons will be able to provide home services next week.

In addition, the acquisition, transport and distribution of inputs for infrastructure maintenance and minor equipment (hygiene kits) for the prevention of Covid-19, at the appropriate educational levels.

All of this is in accordance with the provisions of the Ministry of Education in coordination with the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion and in accordance with the protocols issued by the Ministry of Health.

m) Services for the activities included in the “Resumption of Activities” strategy, approved by Supreme Decree No. 080-2020-PCM, in accordance with its implementation.

n) E-commerce services for the sale of clothing, footwear and household appliances, as well as the provision of books, school supplies and office supplies for education and work purposes, in compliance with the health standards issued by the National Health Authority.

o) Support services for diagnosis, dentistry, ophthalmology, rehabilitation, human reproduction, veterinary, among other medical services different from those related to the care of the health emergency produced by Covid-19, having to observe the health protocols established by the National Health Authority.

p) Services of mobile applications for home delivery services provided by third parties, observing the sanitary protocols established by the National Health Authority.

q) Technical services and independent professionals such as computer technicians, gas station attendants, gardener, electricians, carpenters, laundry, appliance maintenance, equipment repair, hairdresser and cosmetology services. (All these services will be provided at home.)

r) Federated sports activities, including professional football; under protocols approved by the Peruvian Sports Institute in coordination with the Ministry of Health. The practice of any of these activities must be done without an audience in the sports scenarios.

s) Other services which, on the date of entry into force of this regulation, were already in operation.

The aforementioned activities that will begin for the first time during the State of Emergency, will begin gradually.

In the case of companies, they must register with the competent sector and must previously submit their “Plan for the surveillance, prevention and control of Covid-19 in the workplace” to the Integrated System for Covid-19 (Sicovid-19) of the Ministry of Health, in order to begin their activities.

“All the services and activities contained in this annex must be carried out in strict compliance with the measures established to prevent the spread of Covid-19,” the regulation states.

COVID in Cusco

As of yesterday morning, the latest epidemiological report from the Regional Health Directorate (Diresa) of Cusco states that 62 new cases of coronavirus were recorded in a single day, the highest number since the first patient presented in mid-March.

Doctor Alex, Jaramillo, a member of the Covid-19 Regional Command, said that the number of people infected is rising in Cusco, as there are currently 726. The death rate is 1.1%, with eight fatalities, one patient in intensive care and another eight in the intermediate ward. The death rate is 1.1%, with eight deaths, one patient in intensive care and eight in the intermediate ward. “We have not reached the plateau as Lima, Loreto or the north of the country are experiencing, the cases will increase exponentially in the coming days,” the specialist said.

(Note that the Ministry of Health reports that, as of yesterday, Cusco’s total number of cases has risen to 856.)

The number of infected people has increased since the community stage began on March 7, with an average of 31 infected people per day. Outbreaks are found in markets, buses and banks.

The epidemiological map shows that Cusco province is the only province in the region in the community infection phase, while La Convención is in the containment phase. “The rest of the localities are in the first phase because they are imported cases, that is, the sick people came from other localities,” Jaramillo said.

The provinces of Anta, Paucartambo and Paruro have not reported any cases of coronavirus so far.

Cusco’s Economic Recovery

The economic recovery is about to start in Cusco. It will start gradually with the agricultural sector, trade, tourism, mining, and so on until completing 100% of commercial activities.

On Friday the regional governor of Cusco, Jean Paul Benavente, presented the plan for economic revival and announced the creation of the Economic Reactivation Agency. This institution, according to Benavente, will be in charge of guaranteeing the implementation of sanitary protocols to avoid the contagion of COVID-19 when commercial activities are resumed.

The plan puts small and medium enterprises as key to economic recovery for which it will propose economic support to the National Executive.

There are more than 96,000 enterprises that fit into this category in the entire Cusco region. Benavente said that these should be reactivated with the support of Reactiva Peru’s national program “adapted to our reality and should integrate the Economically Active Population”.

The Region plans to resume 151 works in the 13 provinces in the first months, with an investment of more than 68 million soles. There is already an agreement with the civil construction unions to start working quickly.

Likewise, within the reactivation plan, the strategic mega-projects are considered: Chinchero International Airport, Antonio Lorena Hospital, Via Expresa, gas pipeline to Cusco, Kepashiato Gas Fractionation Plant, etc.

These will have to be taken up again “since they are now stopped due to this pandemic and there is a need to reactivate them”.

Daily COVID Update from Minsa

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) announced that the total number of COVID-19 cases in Peru has risen to 119,959.

There are 7,779 patients hospitalized with Covid-19, of which 920 are in ICU with mechanical ventilation. So far 49,795 people have completed their period of home isolation or have been discharged from a health facility. The number of deaths has risen to 3,456.

Lima continues to be the region with the highest number of Covid-19 infections to date with 75,716 followed by the regions of Callao (8558), Lambayeque (6075), Piura (4219), Loreto (3391), La Libertad (3023), Ucayali (2941), Ancash (2832), Arequipa (2501), Ica (2153), Junín (1438), Tumbes (1032), San Martín (957), Cusco (856), Huánuco (676), Cajamarca (557), Ayacucho (537), Amazonas (451), Moquegua (352), Huancavelica (345), Pasco (335), Madre de Dios (325), Tacna (291), Puno (257) and Apurimac (141).

Misc News Highlights

• The regional government of Apurimac reported that 350 rapid COVID tests were given to vendors in the markets of Tambobamba, Abancay and Andahuaylas resulting in ten positive results.
  
  
• The Ministry of Health sent 11,700 units of personal protection equipment to Madre Dios In coordination with the Peruvian Air Force.
  
  
• Nestle and the Red Cross made a donation consisting of 500 portable nebulizers, 10 beds for transport and transfer of patients, a vital functions monitor, a defibrillator, a corresponding monitor, and 60,000 facemasks.
  
  
• In Ayacucho, 86 rapid tests for coronavirus were given to merchants in the Central Market of Huanta province. Five workers tested positive and were taken home to comply with the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
  
  
• Approximately 170,000 restaurants will be able to operate nationwide through the delivery service, either through its own fleet or by third parties, said Deputy Minister of MYPE and Industry, Jose Salardi Rodriguez.
  
  
• The Ministry of Health (Minsa) airlifted a total of 735 kilograms of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Arequipa region, including three-fold masks, jumpsuits, jackets, pants, disposable aprons along with 6,675 rapid tests.

COVID Reports from Across Peru

Most Regional Health Directorates post graphics each day on the current situation in their region each day. I’m going to try to keep up with these as best as I can for those regions that are particularly problematic so people can keep up with what is specifically happening in other parts of the country where there are particularly serious problems.

Most regions post daily reports late on the night before (but not all) so this is the latest information available. (Be sure to click on individual graphics to see a larger size.You might have to click on the top half of the graphic to click. Sorry, it’s a bug I haven’t been able to solve.)

——————————————

Please feel free to leave a comment below. I love to hear what people think! If you like this, you can share this page with the links below or even subscribe so that you’ll be notified when I post again. (I don’t sell anything here, so you don’t have to worry about that.)

Please share Explore Cusco:

Saturday, May 23, 2020

After a slow news week except for yesterday’s big announcement, things heated up a lot today. To be honest, it doesn’t look nearly as bad for those of us in the provinces as it originally seemed.

Government ministers spent a lot of time yesterday evening and this morning explaining what the new quarantine should look like. Read below and you’ll definitely see some things to look forward to very, very soon.

Of course, if you’re a foreigner who just likes to complain like some on social media and who apparently were so spoiled as a child that they’re used to always getting their way, then I guess you’ll just have to take your toys and fly back to wherever you came from. (Hopefully as soon as possible.) I never quite understood why people like that wanted to stay in country that they’re not willing to know.

On the last day before the the usual Sunday lockdown, central Cusco was remarkable calm. We don’t have any one with assault rifles storming government offices here.

Even though the neighborhood markets are closed, the supermarkets weren’t crowded at all. There weren’t a lot of cars on the street. Most people were going about their every day lives getting ready for tomorrow, though a few, like to fellow in the picture, did dress to impress in the hopes of perhaps meeting a pretty perrita.

I ran into a couple of friends on the street — something that happens all the time in this city of nearly half a million people — and we discussed what the next few weeks will bring.

All in all, Peruvian people here are not as upset as the the foreign community would have one believe. There’s no talk of “going postal” as one person predicted a couple of months ago. It doesn’t appear there are any protests planned. People don’t have the self-entitled “me first” attitude found in other places.

That’s so refreshing.

Update on the Economy and the Quarantine

Minister of Economics and Finance, María Antonieta Alva, yesterday spoke with RPP Noticias about the current status of the Peruvian economy and what lies ahead.

Alva said that the drop in Peru’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in April will be in double digits and greater than the 16-point drop registered in March, when the economy was operating at 44% of its capacity due to the new coronavirus. However, she also estimated that the fall in May will be less and that from June onwards a recovery will start to be seen with phase 2 of the economic reopening.

Regarding May, when some economic activities resumed, the minister said that the fall in GDP will be “a little less than that of April and in June the recovery agenda is already beginning…May has been a month of learning how to reopen the economy and all the improvements that we are going to implement will allow us to see a faster recovery in June.”

In June the second phase will be implemented at the end of which they estimate that the economy will have already started operating at 84% of its capacity.

The minister explained that although the confinement will be maintained for the entire month of June, the economic activities detailed by President Martin Vizcarra on Friday will begin to operate from this Monday, May 25, which will be part of phase 2 of the economic recovery. “When the decision was made to go into quarantine, the economy was operating at 44% and the decisions to tighten up phase 1 and phase 2 will allow the economy to operate at 84%,” she said.

Alva added that the end of phase 2 “should be by the end of June”. She also pointed out that the activities that will be functioning again from Monday “have to do with improving the well-being and daily life of the people. Not only because of the services we will be able to receive at home, but above all because of the jobs that will be able to be recovered….It is an advance of what will be the entrance of phase 2”, which will be approved in the first week of June.

Starting next week, she added, people will be able to leave their home for medical appointments with the dentist or ophthalmologist, or to take the pet to the vet; while other services, such as laundry, books or hairdressing, will be received via delivery. At another time, the minister said that for now “no new economic bonus is contemplated” and called on citizens to understand that “from now on our life is going to change, we are going to have to change our habits.

Curfew Hours Explained

President Vizcarra announced that, beginning Monday, May 25, the national curfew will begin at 9 pm (one hour later than before) and end at 4 am.

He also said that the new schedule will apply throughout the country, with the exception of eight regions where the highest rates of infection of the new coronavirus are registered. These departments are Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Loreto, Ucayali, Ica and the three provinces of the Ancash coast: Santa, Casma and Huarmey.

In these last regions the obligatory social immobilization will begin run from 6 pm to 4 am.

Minister of Production Explains Allowable Services

Rocío Barrios, Minister of Production, spoke to Canal 9 yesterday and explained that professional and technical services at home must have the necessary health measures such as masks, glasses, caps, alcohol, etc. The services of hairdresser, hardware store, bookstore and others are home services, she said.

Hairdressers and other home services by applications or by third parties will have their protocol and this week will be broadcast.

In addition, restaurants that had their own delivery service will now be able to use these services through applications or third parties, she said.

Small restaurants will be able to provide delivery services (either their own or using third parties) beginning Monday after complying with security measures, she said.

“The inspection of the restaurants is in charge of Digesa (General Directorate of Environmental Health and Food Safety) and the municipalities,” he said.

Laundries belonging to large chains will have to offer their services via delivery, but small laundries, which are single-family businesses, will be able to set up a window to attend and receive their customers’ clothes and provide them with a pick-up date and time, he said.

In the eight regions currently at risk, the only thing that will apply is the delivery service, he said.

Finally, she said that the person who goes out to do the shopping at the markets or supermarkets will be able to use his car and that the Ministry of the Interior will grant the respective permit.

“The concept that we must be clear about at this stage of the quarantine is that all services are going to have to be provided at home. There will be no open businesses. Open businesses are not yet authorized at this time,” she said.

Daily COVID Update from Minsa

The Ministry of Heath announced that the total number of COVID cases in Peru has risen to 115,754.

There are 7,674 patients hospitalized with Covid-19, of which 909 are in ICU with mechanical ventilation. So far 47,915 people have completed their period of home isolation or have been discharged from a health facility. The number of deaths has risen to 3,373.

Lima has the most infections to date with 74,037 followed by the regions of Callao (8125), Lambayeque (5836), Piura (3812), Loreto (3293), La Libertad (2793), Ucayali (2775), Ancash (2722), Arequipa (2373), Ica (1863), Junín (1375), San Martín (938), Cusco (793), Tumbes (1032), Huánuco (629), Cajamarca (520), Ayacucho (498), Amazonas (437), Moquegua (345), Huancavelica (306), Tacna (291), Pasco (288), Madre de Dios (304), Puno (247) and Apurimac (122).

A Virtual Inti Raymi

The Provincial Municipality of Cusco and the Empresa Municipal de Festejos del Cusco (Emufec) will officially launch the activities to be carried out on the occasion of the Jubilee month of celebrations 2020 of Cusco this Sunday 24 through virtual platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube) and local media.

The President of Emufec’s Shareholders Meeting, Ricardo Valderrama, pointed out that in the current context of health emergency affecting much of the world and very particularly Peru and the region due to the health emergency of COVID-19, details of the digital programming of celebrations will be shared on May 24.

“In this way, we seek to strengthen and remember in this emergency situation, that June is the month of the Festivals of Cusco and Inti Raymi and at the same time, an invitation, in the hope that next year 2021 is a longed-for return to a new normalcy, for the reunion of all the people of Cusco and Cusco in another version of their festivals,” concluded Valderrama.

Comptroller’s Report on Cusco Hospitals

The General Comptroller’s Office identified deficiencies in the health service for patients with COVID-19, accumulation of solid waste, and reduction of health care personnel in the Regional Hospital of Cusco and the Antonio Lorena Contingency Hospital, within the framework of the Integrated Health Emergency Control. In addition, the lack of complete biomedical equipment was noted for the level of the aforementioned hospitals.

According to the report, the Cusco Regional Hospital does not have the Health Services Producing Units (UPSS) Intensive Care (ICU), Intermediate Care (NICU) and UPSS Emergency differentiated, aimed at patient care, which should be implemented differently for COVID-19 patients than the UPSS the hospital has for regular care, generating the risk of affecting the specialized care of critical patients in the face of the over demand of the Antonio Lorena Contingency Hospital.

Likewise, it was found that the minimum complete biomedical equipment for the UPSS in the Intensive Care and Emergency areas is not yet available, generating the risk of affecting the health of the patients, including the loss of life.

The auditors also verified the reduction of the assistance personnel by 25.84% due to the fact that they are considered a risk group. The operating capacity of the hospital is 74.16%, including doctors, nurses and technicians.

Another report warned that in the Antonio Lorena Contingency Hospital, solid waste was found to have accumulated in the final storage area of the nosocomium, which is located near the restricted area of Intensive Care for patients with COVID-19, without the appropriate infrastructure conditions for its storage, which generates the risk of affecting the health of patients and workers in the health facility.

Another adverse situation is the 32.17% decrease in operating capacity due to the fact that health personnel belong to groups at risk or vulnerable to COVID-19, a situation that should lead the hospital to adopt measures to guarantee the provision of health services, especially in view of the possibility of a resurgence of the pandemic.

In addition, it was noted that the biomedical equipment of the UPSS Emergency and Intensive Care is not the complete minimum and the differentiated waiting room does not have disinfection instruments (alcohol dispensers, hand washers, and others) that allow users and care personnel to clean their hands.

Misc News Highlights

• For those who need more football, The President of Spain announced that La Liga will restart games on June 8.
  
  
• President of the Council of Ministers, Vicente Zaballos, said this morning that individual sports activities such as running or outdoor exercise will be regulated by the mental health plan being prepared by the Ministry of Health. He said the plan must be prepared within the next seven days “due to the stress that confinement is generating in the citizenry.”
  
  
• Zeballos also said that it is not possible to set deadlines for the end of the health emergency. “We are realistic that there is still nothing defined in the scientific landscape that allows us to quantify time periods,” he told RPP Noticias.
  
  
• Good news from the regions of Loreto (Iquitos) and Ucayali (Pucallpa) where the number of COVID-related deaths is decreasing.

COVID Reports from Across Peru

Most Regional Health Directorates post graphics each day on the current situation in their region each day. I’m going to try to keep up with these as best as I can for those regions that are particularly problematic so people can keep up with what is specifically happening in other parts of the country where there are particularly serious problems.

Most regions post daily reports late on the night before (but not all) so this is the latest information available. (Be sure to click on individual graphics to see a larger size.You might have to click on the top half of the graphic to click. Sorry, it’s a bug I haven’t been able to solve.)

——————————————

Please feel free to leave a comment below. I love to hear what people think! If you like this, you can share this page with the links below or even subscribe so that you’ll be notified when I post again. (I don’t sell anything here, so you don’t have to worry about that.)

Please share Explore Cusco:

Friday, May 22, 20202

Summary of Presidential Press Conference

President Martin Vizcarra of Peru announced this afternoon that the State of Emergency has been extended until June 30.

The curfew for most of the country will start at 9 pm and continue until 4 am.

In Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Loreto, Ucayali, Ica and the three coastal provinces of Ancash the curfew will run from 6 pm to 4 am.

He also added, “we can’t take off the masks until we have the cure through a vaccine.”

To the businesses that had already been initially approved for Phase 1, the following have been added:

• E-commerce service for the sale of clothing, footwear, appliances, school supplies and office supplies
• Diagnostic support services such as dentistry, rehabilitation, human production, veterinary, among others.
• Mobile application services for home delivery such as Glovo and Rappi.
• Technical services of computer science, gasfiteria, electricity, carpentry, laundry,
• Hairdressing and cosmetology services.

Vizcarra also pointed out that professional sports activities that do not involve direct physical contact will be allowed.

For the resumption of these activities, the health protocols to be established by the national health authority must be taken into account.

There were few details so I expect a LOT more will be coming out in the next day or two.

Daily COVID Update from Minsa

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) announced that the total number of COVID-19 cases in Peru has risen to 111,698.

There are 7,545 patients hospitalized with Covid-19, of which 901 are in ICU with mechanical ventilation. So far, 44,848 people have completed their period of home isolation or have been discharged from a health facility. The number of deaths has risen to 3,244.

Lima continues to be the region with the highest number of Covid-19 infections to date with 71,719 followed by the regions of Callao (7846), Lambayeque (5690), Piura (3621), Loreto (3201), La Libertad (2682), Ucayali (2652), Ancash (2557), Arequipa (2297), Ica (1941), Junín (1336), San Martín (903), Cusco (766), Tumbes (727), Huánuco (607), Cajamarca (495), Ayacucho (479), Amazonas (399), Moquegua (315), Huancavelica (289), Tacna (279), Pasco (276), Madre de Dios (270), Puno (232) and Apurímac (119).

More Than 50 Illegal Cusco Restaurants Closed

In an inspection operation carried out by the Municipality of Cusco, more than 50 restaurants were detected that offered the service of sale by delivery without authorization and, according to the manager of Economic Development of Cusco, Luis Angel Soria, these establishments did not meet the necessary health conditions to operate.

Soria told RPP Noticias said that they are aware of the economic needs of people, but does not justify violating the rules, and putting at risk the health of the population and restaurant workers.

He added that the municipality, every day, receives requests for delivery service; however, it is not up to this entity to give these permits. It is the Regional Directorate of Production and the Regional Directorate of Health (Diresa) who should attend to these requests, but so far the rule only applies to Metropolitan Lima.

Soria also said that the work of control, sanction and closure of restaurants will continue to prevent the proliferation of the new coronavirus.

Pharmacies Closed in Cusco

In an operation similar to others being carried out across the country, a joint operation between the Fiscal Police, the Public Ministry and the District Sub-Prefecture to raise awareness and prevent economic crimes and crimes against public health was carried out yesterday in central Cusco resulting in the closure of five pharmacies that did not have the Civil Defense certificate. The also participated in the intervention and verified the supply of medicines for the treatment of COVID-19, expiration dates, and health records, among other aspects according to the competence of each institution.

The purpose was to verify that these establishments have all the essential requirements to operate, in relation to the closed, these did not have the certificate of Indeci so “we proceeded with the immediate closure, these pharmacies will have five working days to correct the documentation, only then the provision of closure is lifted,” explained the manager of Economic Development of the provincial municipality, Luis Soria.

With regard to the prices of medicines, the prosecutor for crime prevention, Vania Vignati, reported that it was verified that there is agreement between the prices offered and the latest reports to the platform of the General Directorate of Drugs, Supplies and Drugs of the Ministry of Health. “In this sense the prosecution is making the necessary appeal to maintain the prices reported,” Vignati said.

The prosecutor also reported that the operation revealed a shortage of generic drugs that are the most accessible to the population because of their low cost. In this regard, representatives of the Public Prosecutor’s Office verified that these drugs are already in transit for distribution and urged that as soon as they arrive they can be offered and that users know about their availability.

Seven Regions Show 1st Quarter Economic Growth

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, exports from seven regions of Peru have increased during the first quarter of 2020. Mining, agricultural and forestry products maintain their position in the international market. So far this year, exports through the interior regions have contributed with US$ 6.5 billion, which corresponds to 71% of Peruvian exports.

The jungle regions have had a 16% growth in their exports. This was due to the fact that San Martin and Ucayali increased the sale of agricultural and forest products. San Martin grew by 44% with the sale of rice, cocoa butter, and palm oil and derivatives. Ucayali grew by 22% with the export of timber and cocoa beans.

In the center of the country, Pasco’s exports reached US$ 138 million — a figure 120% higher than the first quarter of 2019 — thanks to higher sales of copper, zinc and gold. This is followed by Huancavelica with a growth of 85% due to higher gold shipments. Ica also grew 4% due to the increase in sales of iron, grapes and tin.

Two regions in the south also grew during the first quarter of 2020. Apurimac increased its sales by 92% thanks to copper exports and Puno managed to grow by 26% with the rise in the price of gold.

Cusco Health Workers Continue to Protest

Doctor Alex Jaramillo informed Cusco’s COVID-19 Command that the most probable causes of the infection of 14 doctors, 31 nurses, 35 technicians and 28 administrative workers are shared dressing rooms, dining rooms, and inadequate handling of biocontaminated material at the Cusco Regional Hospital.

He also said that the rotation of services, the biometric system for marking attendance and using the same space to change personal protection equipment are other factors that spread the virus.

Rosalinda Torres, the leader of workers at the Regional Hospital, told RPP Noticias that the employment situation is the same. She noted that no improvements have been made and that many are purchasing their own protective equipment to prevent further infections.

“The colleagues buy their own kits containing masks and masks, these same kits are removed and kept in a box, because many have drawers. The next day they continue to use the same,” she said.

Due to this fact, a group of workers demanded the removal of the director of the Regional Hospital, Felix Hidalgo Ramirez, and announced radical measures to achieve this.

Misc News Higlights

• The Peruvian Medical Association (CMP) has recommended that the health emergency should be extended by one or two months in addition to applying a “flexible” quarantine, according to the “risk of transmission” in each location.
  
  
• Cusco’s Emporio El Molino II is now providing space and security for bicycles in their parking lot. The only requirement is that an ID must be provided which is returned upon leaving the market. Cusco is making a major push to promote bicycling as a healthy and environmentally friendly alternative to motorized transportation.
  
  
• The Ministry of Health has transferred 6 new mechanical ventilators to Lambayeque and will be adding 46 new ICU beds over the next five weeks. Health Minister Victor Zamora also said that 20 new mechanical ventilators are also being distributed to Piura, Yurimaguas and Huánuco with more expected to be delivered to Peru by the end of the month.
  

• After 26 days in the hospital, Doña Julia Sánchez Vega was released as a true survivor of COVID and an inspiration. With her 90th birthday coming up in July is the second oldest Peruvian to survive infection.
  
  
• The Ministry of Health has sent 74,385 units of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), 7 mechanical ventilators, 4,725 rapid tests and 20,000 tablets of medication to the regions of San Martín, Amazonas and Junín.
  
  
• The Ministry of the Interior has ordered the dismissal of senior police officers in the Lambayeque region while investigations into alleged overpriced purchases of protective equipment for police officers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic continue.
  
  
• Market No. 2 and Modelo de Frutas in La Victoria (Lima) reopened today after the workers of these supply centers implemented the biosecurity and distance measures set by the Government. Mercado Caquetá in San Martín de Porres will reopen on Monday after being closed for more than 20 days
  
  
• The National Police reported that more than 400 people are detained every day for not abiding by the state of emergency in the Cusco region. The provinces with the highest number of people are Canchis, Cusco and La Convención.

COVID Reports from Across Peru

Most Regional Health Directorates post graphics each day on the current situation in their region each day. I’m going to try to keep up with these as best as I can for those regions that are particularly problematic so people can keep up with what is specifically happening in other parts of the country where there are particularly serious problems.

Most regions post daily reports late on the night before (but not all) so this is the latest information available. (Be sure to click on individual graphics to see a larger size.You might have to click on the top half of the graphic to click. Sorry, it’s a bug I haven’t been able to solve.)

——————————————

Please feel free to leave a comment below. I love to hear what people think! If you like this, you can share this page with the links below or even subscribe so that you’ll be notified when I post again. (I don’t sell anything here, so you don’t have to worry about that.)

Please share Explore Cusco:

President Martin Vizcarra of Peru announced this afternoon that the State of Emergency and national mandatory quarantine has been extended through June 30.

The curfew for most of the country will start at 9 pm and continue until 4 am.

In Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Loreto, Ucayali, Ica and the three coastal provinces of Ancash the curfew will run from 6 pm to 4 am.

Please share Explore Cusco:

Thursday, May 21, 2020

It’s really been a slow news day. I think everyone is waiting for tomorrow’s anticipated announcement about a possible extension of the current State of Emergency.

The sad part is the one big news is that Peru had it’s highest one-day rise in COVID-19 cases with 4749 cases reported. That’s not the kind of news that one wants to hear on the day before such a major announcement.

Don’t know if it will make a difference, but 72% of those new cases came from Lima and Callao. Another 20% of the new cases came from regions of Lambayeque, Piura, Loreto, La Libertad, Ucayali, Ancash, Arequipa, and Ica.

With so many wondering if there will be regional lifting of restrictions, it will be interesting to see how these new numbers will affect the decision of the Council of Ministers.

Daily COVID Update from Minsa

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) announced that the total number of COVID-19 cases in Peru has risen to 108,769.

There are 7,455 patients hospitalized with Covid-19, of which 886 are in ICU with mechanical ventilation. So far 43,587 people have completed their period of home isolation or have been discharged from a health facility. The number of deaths has risen to 3,148.

Lima continues to be the region with the highest number of Covid-19 infections to date with 70,155 followed by the regions of Callao (7685), Lambayeque (5581), Piura (3496), Loreto (3166), La Libertad (2542), Ucayali (2478), Ancash (2466), Arequipa (2176), Ica (1905), Junín (1289), San Martín (857), Cusco (724), Tumbes (722), Huánuco (566), Cajamarca (483), Ayacucho (455), Amazonas (371), Huancavelica (277), Moquegua (270), Madre de Dios (265), Tacna (254), Pasco (249), Puno (225) and Apurímac (112).

Misc News Highlights

• Arequipa’s Regional Health Management reported four new deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday, the highest number in one day so far in the health emergency. The victims were older patients — three men aged 62, 71 and 77 and a woman aged 79 — and were hospitalized at the Carlos Alberto Seguín Escobedo Hospital in EsSalud.
  
  
• The Municipality of Miraflores (Lima) reported that between April and May, 890 workers on the front lines of the pandemic were tested for Coronavirus. Of those, 16% (144 people, including Mayor Luis Molina) tested positive. The last tests were performed last Monday and Tuesday which resulted in 102 more workers confirmed positive.
  
  
• As a result of yesterdays testing, the mayor of Lima, Jorge Muñoz, ordered the temporary closure of the Ramón Castilla market, known as the Central Market. The decision was taken after 201 rapid tests were taken on Wednesday, resulting in 29.35% (59 traders) being positive and 70.65% (142) being negative for the new coronavirus.
  
  
• All food markets or commercial establishments should not exceed 50% of their capacity as part of the measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, according to a decree published on Thursday. In addition, prior disinfection, the mandatory use of masks and a social distance of no less than one meter in the supply centers are required.
  
  
• Defense Minister Walter Martos said he would propose continuing the quarantine in the Lambayeque region because of the large number of cases of the new coronavirus. “There will probably be a targeted quarantine,” he said.
  
  
• The Peruvian Medical Association proposed extending the health emergency from 30 to 60 days, in addition to implementing a flexible and targeted quarantine.

COVID Reports from Across Peru

Most Regional Health Directorates post graphics each day on the current situation in their region each day. I’m going to try to keep up with these as best as I can for those regions that are particularly problematic so people can keep up with what is specifically happening in other parts of the country where there are particularly serious problems.

Most regions post daily reports late on the night before (but not all) so this is the latest information available. (Be sure to click on individual graphics to see a larger size.You might have to click on the top half of the graphic to click. Sorry, it’s a bug I haven’t been able to solve.)

——————————————

Please feel free to leave a comment below. I love to hear what people think! If you like this, you can share this page with the links below or even subscribe so that you’ll be notified when I post again. (I don’t sell anything here, so you don’t have to worry about that.)

Please share Explore Cusco: