Mexico’s death toll skyrockets soon after lockdown ease

The death toll in Mexico has crossed 10,000 as restrictions were released a few days ago. The number of total confirmed cases as of Monday has become 93,000, and the exact number of recorded deaths due to COVID-19 are 10,167.

Latin America is fast becoming the epicentre of this pandemic. In the wake of this, Mexico stands fourth, only next to Brazil, Chile and Peru.

The worst affected states are Mexico City, the state surrounding it and Baja California in the south. The testing rate is far lesser than the ideal rate, and this is a major cause for concern in that region. Experts have warned that the actual toll could be far higher than that showcased by the government.

While most parts of Mexico have been under lockdown since March 23, some industries continued to function, triggering outbursts amongst the workers. The easing of lockdown started on May 18 in regions that were relatively less affected. By June 1, construction activities as well as automobile manufacturing resumed functioning, along with parks at one-third capacity.

Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in a press release on Monday, said, “We have to move towards the new normal because it’s necessary for our national economy, our people’s wellbeing; we need to, little by little, return production, economic, social and cultural activity to normal.” This statement has been facing backlash due to his decision to phase out the lockdown as cases steadily increased.