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.
