Things are easing up slightly

Total number of COVID deaths in Panama to date are 315. Total cases in Panama at days end on May 27,   is 11,728.    There still hasn't been a leveling off of new cases, but the curve has remained relatively flat, so re-opening measures will move into Block 2 on June 1st, a Monday.   

The highest daily number of cases was 370 on May 2nd, and the second highest daily case rate was reported on May 24th with 349 cases.  On most days the new case numbers run somewhere between 200 and 300.  Today's new case number was 281.  Virus testing has been ramping up,  so this may have some impact.  

Panama has completed 61,895 tests, 1297 tests were done in the last 24 hours.  

The most recent embassy communication to expats is pasted below:

Health Alert - U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama (May 27, 2020) 

   

Event:  COVID-19 Situation – Starting June 1 Quarantine Ends and Curfew Begins 

Starting June 1, the quarantine with movement restrictions will end.  The quarantine and two-hour movement windows will be replaced by a curfew from 7 pm to 5 am, Monday through Sunday.  Children will also be free to move about from 4 pm to 7 pm, accompanied by a parent, guardian, or caretaker.  The use of masks and social distancing will still be required.  This new flexibility does not permit social group activities, cultural events, festivals, visits to the beach, contact sports, or any other activity that violates social distancing.  

Also on June 1, the second economic block will be allowed to open.  The sectors included in that block are: public construction, mining of non-metals, industry, and religious sites, parks, social areas, and sporting areas will be allowed to operate at 25 percent capacity.  

On May 27, Panama’s Ministry of Health (MINSA) confirmed 11,447 cases of COVID-19. 

MINSA reminds citizens and residents of Panama that staying at home, not touching your face, and washing your hands frequently are the best means of prevention against COVID-19.  It also requires the use of masks, even homemade ones, when in public. 

Almost over the Hump

Panama currently has a total of 8,783 confirmed Coronavirus cases.  There have been 256 deaths.  The number of active cases is currently 3, 848 and the remaining have  recovered.  The country is showing a viral containment rate of 70% (which is rapidly improving to 85%),  with a 67% recovery rate .   Panama is the Central American country that has carried out the most viral testing, being accomplished as a Ministry of Health [MINSA] control strategy for viral spread.  Panama does about 1000 tests per day and the rate of positives has declined from 30% in early April to 15% as of May 9th.  The goal for countries that have achieved the best control is to get the rate of new cases down to below 10% and that is Panama's objective as well. 

Panama's current hospitalization capacity is also encouraging.  In the MINSA and Social Security Hospitals, capacity to treat COVID patients in regular hospital rooms is 46%, in ICUs it's 40%, and ventilator availability is currently at 67%. For four weeks now, Panama has maintained a stable pattern of COVID-related hospitalizations of <90 in ICU and <300 in hospital wards.  The distribution of cases shows the highest incidences in Panama Metro, Panama West, San Miguelito and the Kuna Yala territories.  These areas correspond to the densest populated and/or poorer sections of the country.

Unlike the United States, my adopted country has a clear cut strategy for reopening.  We are slowly beginning the process at this time.  On May 13th, the sale of alcohol was again permitted, and the list of business that can open to the public has been expanded as well. We are just entering Stage One of Phase 2 of the reopening plan.  

There has been a lot of complaining on the expat social media sites about the quarantine restrictions and lack of mobility freedom.  Boquete's mayor has been scapegoated for much of this by expat residents, despite the fact that it's a national restriction and his efforts have managed to keep a highly at-risk elderly population safe and sound during the most crucial periods.  There have been only 17 cases of coronavirus in Boquete, and all patients have recovered.  No new cases have appeared here in at least two weeks. 

There was a recent new case spike in Alanje, another district of Chiriqui,  on the outskirts of David,  but Boquete has remained stable.  The cases in Alanje(40 total) have been hotel-isolated and are  receiving treatment.  

I've heard mention,  but haven't been able to yet confirm, that vehicles  traveling from outside the area will start being allowed to enter Boquete again on a tourism basis.  Will need to investigate further before commenting.  

April is over, but we've a ways to go

Well, April has come and gone.  There have been 6,532 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Panama and presently there are 5, 769 active cases.  Total deaths have reached 188.  2,484 cases are reported as clinically recuperated.  A total of 30, 749 tests have been administered.  Panama still hasn't reached it's peak as the numbers continue to climb.  There were 154 new cases in the last 24 hours.  

The Ministry of Health has placed the population on lock down for the 3rd weekend in a row.  Previously, men could go out for a few hours on Saturdays to conduct personal business and shopping, but that has been prohibited for the last two Saturdays and will be implemented again this coming Saturday, May 2nd.  It could be having an effect, as the number of new cases isn't jumping by as much as before the policy was implemented.  Tomorrow, a Friday, is Labor Day in Panama so perhaps the Ministry of Health took into account the 3-day weekend as potential for partying and increased social contact absent these restrictions.   The sale of alcohol remains prohibited at all times. 

Chiriqui is doing well in comparison to the national register.  The province is now at 103 confirmed cases and 5 deaths, but only one hospitalization.  

Credit for this needs to be given to the mayors of the province and particularly to the mayor of Boquete, who has been proactive in combating the opportunity for COVID-19 to grab a major foothold in our town.  Against significant obstacles and following denial by the national authorities to establish a sanitary barrier around Boquete, he took it upon himself to implement additional screening at the Caldera checkpoint before allowing thru-traffic from other areas of the country.  People wishing to drive into Boquete are now stopped and temperature-checked by personnel from the municipality before being allowed to proceed.  They must present appropriate documentation to support their need to enter, such as being residents of Boquete working in David, or being commercial delivery personnel, etc.  Employees of essential businesses in David, and commercial truck drivers, for example, are given "salvoconductos" or passes which allow them to come in and out.  According to most recent reports, these recently implemented measures have resulted in the discovery of two highly suspicious cases being pursued by local medical authorities.  Both individuals presented with high fevers approaching 104 degrees---one was a foreigner living in Alto Boquete, and the other was a Panamanian living in Jaramillo.  Both Alto Boquete and Jaramillo are Boquete neighborhoods. 

In addition to the temperature and document checks, the Boquete mayor has also instituted a disinfection station wherein vehicles are sprayed with chemicals prior to passing the checkpoint.  The expat community has questioned the effectiveness of this measure, but no one seems to openly object to it.   I remember about 10 years ago when the coffee farms were threatened by some type of crop fungus or parasite that similar measures were taken with positive outcomes.

It remains to be seen how serious and long this pandemic will affect life in Chiriqui.  Personally, I'm grateful to be living here instead of many other places at this significant time in world history.  The actions of our local government authorities leave me feeling much more confident of my own safety here compared to that of family in the  USA.