Argentina recorded more than 200 deaths for the first time during the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday, as the number of fatalities and confirmed cases continues to rise.
The Health Ministry confirmed in its evening report that 241 deaths had been registered during the preceding 24 hours, a new record. The previous high was 168, announced on August 4. The new fatalities lift the death toll since the virus crisis began to 5,004.
In addition, 7,043 new confirmed cases were registered over the same period. Argentina has now recorded more infections than Italy, Germany and France, having recorded 260,911 infections in total.
Of the deaths registered on Tuesday, 187 were in Buenos Aires Province, with 25 in Buenos Aires City.
Of the newest confirmed cases, 4,756 were in the province, with 1,200 in the capital. Highlighting fears of a new surge in the north of Argentina, 318 of the cases announced on Tuesday were found in Jujuy Province.
As usual, the majority of fatalities and infections were found in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area (AMBA), where around 90 percent of all cases have been recorded.
Buenos Aires City Mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta met with President Alberto Fernández on Monday to discuss the next steps of the lockdown in the AMBA region. The Juntos por el Cambio leader also met with Buenos Aires Province Governor Axel Kicillof on Tuesday, with further talks with both figures expected later this week.
According to reports, Rodríguez Larreta is seeking authorisation from the presidency to open up more sports and activities for residents in the capital, though the rise in numbers over the past few weeks may put a stop to that.
The lockdown in the AMBA region is due to end August 16, with the president expected to announce on Friday what decisions have been taken.
Health Ministry officials also confirmed Tuesday that 1,585 patients with Covid-19 are currently hospitalised in intensive care units (ICUs) across the country. ICU bed occupancy nationwide currently stands at 58.2 percent, with the figure rising to 68.6 percent in the AMBA region.
– TIMES/NA/PERFIL
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