• WORKERS: At least 535 Mexican health workers have been infected with coronavirus, amounting to 9% of confirmed cases across the country. Given the high risks that doctors, nurses, and other hospital workers face, the Mexican government has rushed to buy more protective equipment.
• NUMBERS: As of late Wednesday, Mexico has officially reported 5,847 coronavirus cases and 449 deaths. Mexico City accounts for a 28% share of the total confirmed cases. The neighboring state, State of Mexico holds second place in the number of total confirmed cases, with an 11% share.
• RISKS: “Intubating involves breathing close to the patient’s mouth, which is exhaling significant amounts of the virus into the air”, said Malaquías López, a public health specialist at Mexico’s National University (UNAM), about the risks health workers face when dealing with coronavirus.
• COMPARISON: The share of health workers infected in countries deeply impacted by coronavirus (like Spain and Italy) represents approximately 15% of total confirmed cases. However, Mexican health workers have launched protests outside hospitals demanding better work conditions.
