Critical care units in Peru and Bolivia are nearing breaking point as health officials warn of a potential second wave of COVID-19. Reports indicate hospital occupancy rates have surpassed 90% in major cities, with medical staff describing overcrowded wards and dwindling oxygen supplies.
Amid the crisis, Peru announced the imminent arrival of COVID-19 vaccines developed in China. Other Latin American nations, including Chile and Brazil, have already begun mass inoculation campaigns using vaccines from multiple international suppliers. Experts emphasize that vaccine distribution remains uneven across the region, with rural communities facing significant access challenges.
The World Health Organization has called for accelerated global vaccine equity efforts, noting that Latin America currently accounts for nearly a third of the world’s COVID-19 deaths despite housing only 8% of its population.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
