The United States advised Mexico on Monday that it will send another 8.5 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine as the third wave of the virus continues to spread.
Foreign Affairs Minister Marcelo Ebrard confirmed the offer during Tuesday’s presidential press conference. It was made during a telephone conversation between President López Obrador and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.
However, it remains unclear whether the vaccines — 3.5 million doses of Moderna and 5 million AstraZeneca — are a donation or if the U.S. expects payment.
In response to a reporter’s question, Ebrard said he understood they were a donation but was unsure. “… we shall have to see in the next few days what specific conditions there are.”
The U.S. has already given just over 4 million doses to Mexico. Should the new shipment prove to be donated, Mexico will become the top recipient of U.S.-donated vaccines.
The vaccination program itself continues. Deputy Health Minister Hugo López-Gatell told this morning’s press conference that nearly 73 million doses have been administered, leaving 57% of the adult population with at least one dose.
According to the New York Times‘ coronavirus vaccination tracker, 22% of the Mexican population is fully vaccinated.
As for case numbers, health authorities said Tuesday afternoon there was a slight increase in the number of estimated cases after declines had been registered for two days in a row following nine weeks of increases. Tuesday’s total was 129,468.
There were 19,555 new cases recorded Tuesday after the usual weekend lull: Saturday’s figure was 20,018 followed by 7,573 on Sunday and 6,513 on Monday. The total number of cases is now 2.99 million.
There were 786 deaths recorded on Tuesday, bringing the total to 245,476.
The occupancy of general care Covid hospital beds across the country was reported to be up 1% to 54% and for those with a respirator 45%.
Meanwhile, it’s becoming harder to find a Covid bed in Mexico City, according to the experience of a 38-year-old man who became infected three weeks after receiving his first dose.
Eder Guadalupe was able to find a bed at the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER) after spending three days looking for one in various parts of the city. A family member said Guadalupe was showing serious symptoms and had only 50% oxygen saturation.
Mexico News Daily
