(CNN) – Dr. Carissa Etienne, director of the Pan American Health Organization, said on Tuesday that Latin America has outperformed Europe and United States in the daily number of infections reported by covid-19.
During a press conference, Etienne said that there have been more than 2.4 million cases and more than 143,000 deaths in the Americas, adding that the region “has become the epicenter of the covid pandemic.”
Etienne also spoke specifically about South America, saying the organization is particularly concerned about the number of new cases reported in Brazil.
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“In South America, we are particularly concerned that the number of new cases reported last week in Brazil was the highest during a seven-day period since the outbreak began,” Etienne said.
The director of PAHO added that Peru and Chile are also reporting a high incidence of cases.
A nurse holds the arm of a coronavirus patient at a field hospital in Manaus on May 21. The hospital was built exclusively for patients with coronavirus. (Andrew Coelho / Getty Images)
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Etienne warned that for the countries of the region “now is not the time to relax restrictions or reduce preventive strategies.”
“Now is the time to stay strong, remain vigilant, and aggressively implement proven public health measures. We have learned from other regions, we have learned what works and what does not and we must continue to apply this knowledge to our context, “said Etienne.
