• STRATEGY: Mexican authorities are aiming that mitigation measures throughout the country -like extending Easter holidays, avoiding events larger than 100 people and asking people to remain home- will help manage risk of the coronavirus epidemic despite it lasting beyond August.
• NUMBERS: As of late Thursday, Mexico has officially reported a total of 585 confirmed coronavirus cases and a total of eight deaths. The cases have spread throughout the country since the first case was reported on February 27. Mexico City remains at the top of confirmed cases with 83.
• SUCCESS: “If we’re successful in reducing transmission this will lead to a longer epidemic instead of a short epidemic….This leads us towards managing risk. What does it mean? That there are fewer cases than those that can be manage”, said Hugo López Gattell, undersecretary of health.
• DOUBTS: However, experts have raised doubts about the low numbers of testing for coronavirus throughout Mexico saying that a larger sample would help guide mitigation efforts; according to expert Miguel Betancourt, authorities are taking decisions based on an epidemic curve that looks insufficient.
