COVID-19: Chile stands out as one of 30 countries worldwide that have conducted the highest number of PCR tests

Health Minister Enrique Paris, together with Public Health Undersecretary Paula Daza and Healthcare Networks Undersecretary Arturo Zúñiga, provided an update on the Coronavirus pandemic situation in Chile. 

At the event, Minister Paris stressed that our country has conducted more than four million PCR tests since the pandemic began. “Chile stands out as one of 30 countries worldwide that have conducted the most polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. It ranks first in Latin America with over 4 million tests and has a rate of 207,000 tests per one million inhabitants. This means that we have tested 20% of the country’s population. This record amount puts us among the top countries in the world,” explained the Health Minister.

The Minister added that according to Worldometer, Chile is only a few tests behind New Zealand and has surpassed countries like Switzerland, Sweden and the Netherlands. “This is to recognize the efforts of lab technicians, biochemists, medical technologists and all the people who work in laboratories in the public and private sectors, at universities and in businesses like salmon farming companies, whom we thank for all of their hard work,” said Enrique Paris. 

Announcements

Beginning Monday, October 26 at 5:00 AM, the municipalities that are transitioning under the Step by Step plan include the following:

• Moving from Preparation to Initial Opening in the Metropolitan Region are the municipalities of Alhué, Lampa, Calera de Tango, Peñalolén and Vitacura.

• Moving from Transition to Preparation in the Metropolitan Region are the municipalities of Peñaflor, Cerro Navia, Macul, La Florida and Pudahuel; in the Maule region, the municipalities of Licantén, San Clemente and Teno and, in the Valparaíso region, the municipalities of La Cruz and La Calera.

• Moving from Quarantine to Transition in the Atacama region is the municipality of Vallenar; in the Ñuble region, the municipality of Coihueco and in La Araucanía region, the municipalities of Teodoro Schmidt, Loncoche and Ercilla.

• The municipalities that will be moving back as of this Saturday, October 24 at 5:00 AM are:

• Moving to Transition in the Metropolitan Region are the municipalities of Isla de Maipo and Padre Hurtado; in Los Lagos region, the municipality of Calbuco.

A separate announcement stated that cemeteries will remain closed on October 31 and November 1 due to the pandemic, “in order to avoid overcrowding and an increase in the number of cases in the country,” said Public Health Undersecretary Paula Daza.

Roadmap to a Safe Referendum

Undersecretary Daza also described the required steps people must take before, during and after voting on the day of the referendum in order to prevent the spread of the disease. 

– Prior to leaving the house, make sure you have your identification card, a blue ballpoint pen, a bottle of water and also bring a back-up mask in case the one you are wearing becomes damp.
– Use hand sanitizer before and after voting in order to prevent the spread of the disease.
– On your way to the polling place wear a mask and avoid coming into contact with other people.
– While in line, maintain a distance of at least one meter between yourself and the next person.
– Upon arriving back home, remove your shoes and mask, throw away the latter and wash your hands and face.

The health official emphasized that “people who have tested positive for COVID and their close contacts must self-isolate. Random checks will be made at all polling places and if someone who is COVID positive is found, they will be isolated.” She added, “people who are not complying with health regulations could be fined between 2 million and 10 million Chilean pesos (US$ 2540 to US$ 12,685).”  

Precious lives lost

Speaking from La Moneda Presidential Palace, health authorities condemned the violence last Sunday, October 18, which took the life of Francisca Paz. A 27 year-old nurse technician, she was a wife and mother, who worked at San Juan de Dios hospital. 

Minister Enrique Paris stated that she had been fatally shot by a stray bullet to the pelvic area. “This occurred on Sunday the 18th and we strongly condemn the indiscriminate use of guns. We are calling for peace, harmony and a spirit of collaboration and dialogue among our fellow citizens. We share the pain of her husband and small daughter, her extended family and all of her fellow healthcare workers who through their hard work and sacrifice have saved lives, even those of some of the same people who are shooting indiscriminately. They have made sacrifices and have worked so hard and today they have lost a colleague. We will not tolerate this violence, we stand for peace and we want lives to be saved, not lost. Those who do not condemn the violence are contributing to a further loss of lives that are precious and essential to our country,” said Minister Paris.

The Healthcare Networks Undersecretary also offered his condolences to Francisca Paz’s family and to the entire San Juan de Dios hospital community.

Daily report

The Health Ministry reported 1,495 positive COVID-19 cases, 428 of which are asymptomatic cases.

The total number of people in Chile who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 has reached 497,131, of which 469,765 have recovered. 

In terms of fatalities, according to the information provided by the Department of Statistics and Health Information (DEIS), 73 COVID-19 related deaths were reported over the last 24 hours. The total number of fatalities in the country is 13,792.

Currently, 759 people are hospitalized in intensive care units, 93 of them in critical condition. With respect to the Integrated Health Services Network, a total of 364 ventilators are available for any patient that needs one, regardless of where they are in the country. 

Regarding the network of laboratories and diagnostic capacity, 31,734 PCR test results were reported yesterday. As of today, the total number of tests conducted in the country has reached 4,005,923. 

There are 152 healthcare residences with 10,742 total spaces, 5,015 of which are currently in use. For more information, people who are unable to quarantine in their own home and who need to transfer to a healthcare residence, can call 800 726 666 or go to the Health Ministry’s website at www.minsal.cl.