•LOCKDOWN: One of the world’s largest metro areas, Mexico City (pop. 22 million) will return to a partial lockdown Saturday after weeks of increasing coronavirus cases that have driven hospital bed capacity to the brink and as the Mexicans begin what normally is a boisterous holiday season.
•MEASURES: Only one week after Mexico City mayor recognized that hospital bed occupancy hovered around 80%, the Mexican federal government along with the state governments of Mexico City and neighboring State of Mexico announced a closure of non-essential activities until January 10.
•CALL: “We appeal to the solidarity and conscience of the people….We came to the conclusion that extraordinary measures are required to reduce infections”, said Hugo López Gatell, Mexico’s undersecretary of health. Yet, authorities said residents will not be banned from moving freely.
•NUMBERS: As of late Thursday, Mexico has officially reported 1,289,298 coronavirus cases and 116,487 coronavirus deaths. Mexico city accounts for 21 percent of all cases in Mexico and 16 percent of deaths; the State of Mexico accounts for 10percent of cases and 14 percent of deaths.
