The patient is a 33-year-old who recently spent one month travelling through various countries in Southeast Asia, specifically Singapore. This country is experiencing an outbreak of the coronavirus, with 110 confirmed cases and no deaths, as of today.
The case was reported by the Public Health Institute of Chile (ISP) and the Guillermo Grant Benavente Hospital Laboratory after a sample taken from the patient was analyzed using the PCR test.
The patient is currently in good general health at Talca Hospital and is scheduled to be discharged, but will remain under epidemiological observation at home.
President Piñera sends a message for calm
President Sebastián Piñera called for calm on Tuesday following confirmation of the first case of coronavirus in the country in the city of Talca.
“I want to send a message for calm to my fellow Chileans. From the moment we first became aware of this virus, we have been following all recommendations issued by the WHO to protect the health of every citizen. We are prepared to competently face this epidemic,” said the President.
The patient is currently in good general health and is scheduled to be discharged, but will remain under epidemiological observation and in isolation at home.
This morning, the President announced a Government Action Plan to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. This includes the purchase of new equipment, strengthening the healthcare network and immigration controls, as well as implementing a quick and efficient procedure to diagnose and treat the disease.
The Action Plan included the activation of a health alert last month which grants the Health Ministry greater resources and powers to deal with the coronavirus. It also calls for inter-ministerial coordination, led by the Health Ministry, involving the Education, Interior, Transport, Defense and Foreign Affairs Ministries.
In addition, the plan calls for the purchase of equipment to combat the disease (such as gloves, masks and disinfectants) and preparing the public and private healthcare networks to quickly diagnose and treat the disease, as well as prevent it. Fifty specialist hospitals and 12 laboratories across the country will be involved.
The plan also calls for the implementation of protocols on the treatment of suspected cases and follow-up on individuals traveling from high-risk areas.
The President also held a telephone conference with the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom, and the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Carissa Etienne. During the conversation, President Piñera was provided with the very latest information regarding the spread of the virus around the world.