No one expected her at the end of the year table, on this side of the Atlantic, in the middle of summer and having overcome the covid peaks of winter. And yet the omicron variant, which first appeared in South Africa, ended up as the most unexpected and undesirable guest to start 2022.
As in Europe, contagions they have also skyrocketed in Latin America. At least a dozen countries in the region have reported the presence of Ómicron. For the end of the year festivities, radical measures were taken in various municipalities. While in others, very little. The common line of governments seems to be speed up vaccination.
In the Mexican capital, the Blue Angels New Year’s concert on Paseo de la Reforma was canceled.
Celebrations canceled
Also in almost all the state capitals of Brazil the traditional New Year celebrations were canceled. Access to Copacabana beach was restricted, Yes OK fireworks were maintained.
Brazil, which reported the first omicron infections in Latin America, is however a separate case with Chile, since both record a decrease in infections.
In Argentina, on the other hand, the cases were multiplied by six since the beginning of December.
Health officials place the COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination point in La Paz, Bolivia. Photo: EFE
Bolivia, which is at the peak of the fourth wave, registers the worst storm of infections in the Santa Cruz region.
Peru lives equally a regrowth After doubling the infections this month, like Colombia, which is experiencing a rise in daily positives.
The increase in covid cases coincides with reports of the contagious omicron variant in Panama, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba and Ecuador.
Vaccination at full speed
In this context, vaccination remains the tip of the spear of the continent to fight against Covid.
Vaccination in Cuba. Photo: AP
Uruguay has vaccinated almost half of the population and Ecuador, for the first time in the region, implemented the controversial mandatory anti-covid vaccination.
The Panamanian government enabled 126 more vaccination points, some of which were overwhelmed, generating a momentary shortage of vaccines.
Cuba, which claims to have controlled the pandemic with its three anticovid vaccines (Abdala, Soberana 02 and Soberana Plus), also sped up vaccination reinforcement after reporting a moderate increase in cases.
Peru agreed to buy 55 million doses of vaccines, in part to administer a fourth injection to medical personnel and vulnerable populations. In addition, it reinforced the vaccination campaign, which reaches 76% of the target population.
RFI
ap
.