More than a million people have died in Latin America and the Caribbean since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, writes Reuters.
“Disease rates are declining in Europe, Asia and North America, as well as in Africa, but South America remains the only region with an increase in the number of diseases. On average, in May, 31% of COVID-19 deaths in the world were in Latin America and the Caribbean – home to just 8.4% of the world’s population”.
Experts are of the opinion that the coronavirus pandemic caught unprepared authorities in many countries by surprise, downplaying its severity and failing to ensure timely vaccine supplies.
“Instead of preparing for a pandemic, we minimized the disease by stating that the tropical heat will inactivate the virus”, – said Dr. Francisco Moreno Sánchez, head of the COVID-19 program at one of Mexico’s top hospitals.