- Title: Third-wave fears take hold in Mexico amid easing COVID-19 restrictions
- Date: 4th July 2021
- Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (FILE - MAY 18, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE GETTING VACCINATED
- Embargoed: 18th July 2021 19:11
- Keywords: COVID-19 Mexico cases coronavirus infections pandemic
- Location: MEXICO CITY + CANCUN, QUINTANA ROO + LEON, GUANAJUATO, MEXICO
- City: MEXICO CITY + CANCUN, QUINTANA ROO + LEON, GUANAJUATO, MEXICO
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: Health/Medicine,South America / Central America
- Reuters ID: LVA005EKKBTXJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Mexicans are bracing for a coming third wave of coronavirus cases, amid fears that an easing of measures to stop the spread of the virus will see new strains take hold.
In June, Mexican officials pushed forward with a lifting of coronavirus measures, re-opening schools and permitting restaurants, stadiums and cinemas to boost capacity. COVID-19 cases sky-rocketed in some parts of the country.
Infections spiked 64% in three weeks, according to health ministry data.
Despite the spike in cases, however, deaths and hospitalisations have remained fairly low.
The new cases are seen mostly in younger people, and for now, the highly contagious Delta variant has not spread widely in Mexico. With the majority elderly almost fully vaccinated, officials are cautiously optimistic the worst has passed.
Mexico's vaccine campaign has been slow and still has a long way to go before the government's goal of at least one dose for everyone over the age of 18 by October. So far, only about 24% of Mexico's 126 million people have had their first shot.
Mexico is one of the few countries in the world that does not require a negative COVID-19 test to enter, making it a popular option for international tourists, particularly those from the United States. Local governments are pinning hopes of an economic boost on a rebound in tourism.
The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) warned last week that the reactivation of tourism and the onset of hurricane season could aggravate the pandemic due to increased movement and an a lack of social distancing and ventilation during a storm.
The Delta variant has been identified in at least a third of Mexico's states, mostly concentrated in Baja California Sur and Mexico City, according to the Mexican Consortium for Genomic Surveillance.
The Delta variant, first confirmed in India in October, is more resistant to vaccines and carries a higher risk of hospitalizations, according to a study by medical journal The Lancet.
Lopez-Gatell, however, has said the Delta variant's transmissibility is "still controversial."
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