WHO Declares the Americas the New Coronavirus Hub
In a Tuesday video briefing, Carissa Etienne, WHO’s director for the Americas and head of the Pan‑American Health Organisation (PAHO), slapped a big red flag on the region. “We’re not in any position to loosen restrictions yet,” she warned, sounding like a seasoned kid who’s suddenly realised the playground is full of mud.
Numbers That Won’t Laugh
More than 2.4 million cases and over 143,000 deaths have set in across the Americas. Even more eye‑opening: daily infections in Latin America just eclipsed those in Europe and the United States. Latin America has become the new epicentre of the pandemic, according to Etienne.
Look, Brazil, You’re in the Spotlight
Brazil’s daily death rate hit the world’s highest yesterday, and a University of Washington study has Chiefed up that the country’s death toll could balloon from the current 25,000 to a staggering 125,000 by early August. The forecast, coming from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), underscores a need for lockdowns—a call Bebop-based President Jair Bolsonaro has been somewhat hesitant to accept.
“Brazil has a long way to go before the pandemic ends,” Etienne summed up, hinting that the road ahead is as tough as a marathon without a finish line.
Other Hot Spots in the Region
- Peru: nearly 20,000 projected deaths by August.
- Chile: expect around 12,000 deaths.
- Mexico: about 7,000 deaths on the horizon.
- Ecuador: roughly 6,000.
- Argentina: about 5,500.
- Colombia: close to 4,500.
And Cuba? A Bright Spot
While the rest of the region looks like a fever pitch, Cuba is doing remarkably well. The IHME forecast points to a mere 82 deaths by August, with testing running ahead of the outbreak—a solid example of “outperforming the pandemic” that could be a masterclass for the world.
What to Do Next
PAHO leaders are urging that the weeks ahead will be “very tough.” With ICU bed demand outpacing supply in several places, the emphasis is on cautious moves—lockdowns, contain measures, and a steady supply of vaccines. Let’s keep the region in check before it turns into a pandemic landmine.
For the freshest updates on this relentless virus, stay tuned to reliable sources.
