Cabo Verde: Registered coronavirus cases now total 4,358 since March

Cabo Verde counts 28 new coronavirus infections, the lowest figure for the last 13 days, increasing the accumulated to 4,358 infections associated with the disease since March 19, according to official data. 

In a press conference to take stock of Covid-19 in the country, the director of the Disease Prevention and Control Service, Jorge Noel Barreto, informed that the new cases were all registered on the island of Santiago, distributed by the municipalities of Praia (14), Ribeira Grande (7), São Lourenço dos Órgãos and São Domingos (2 each), Santa Catarina, Tarrafal and Santa Cruz, with one each.

According to the Ministry of Health spokesman, another 162 patients were discharged, and the country now has an accumulated of 3,790 people already recovered.

With these new data, the country now has 524 active cases, maintaining the 42 deaths, two patients transferred to their countries, out of an accumulated total of 4,358 infections associated with the disease since March 19.

At the national level, the director of Health, Artur Correia, said that in the last four weeks an average of 349 cases was registered, while in Praia there is a “slight growth trend” in the same period, with an average of 220 cases per week. 

At the same press conference, the president of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP), Maria da Luz Lima, took the opportunity to ask for caution, following videos posted on the Internet over the weekend showing many people crowded into the streets of several neighborhoods of Praia celebrating the fall of the rains, without distance and individual protection.

She also warned that there is a risk of transmission of other diseases in contact with flood water, such as skin and gastrointestinal problems, hepatitis, and injuries from sharp materials.

In turn, the director of Health appealed again for the responsibility of people, especially young people, pointing out that this behavior does not represent the national whole, although, he said, they are still “reprehensible acts”.

“We understand perfectly the celebration of the rains, everyone was anxiously waiting, but it should be celebrated with responsibility,” asked Artur Correia, for whom “all care is little.