Colombia Surpasses One Million Covid-19 Cases: Ministry
Umer Jamshaid Published October 25, 2020 | 08:50 AM
Bogota, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Oct, 2020 ) :Colombia on Saturday surpassed the benchmark of one million cases of Covid-19 registered in the country since the beginning of the pandemic, the health ministry announced.
The last 24 hours saw 8,769 new infections, bringing the total to 1,007,711 since the first case was detected on March 6, the ministry said.
Deaths rose to 30,000 after authorities added 198 fatalities from the last 10 days.
With 50 million people, Colombia is the eighth country to top a million infections, after the United States, India, Brazil, Russia, Argentina, Spain and France.
At an event in Chinchina, Caldas, President Ivan Duque stressed that Colombia has a relatively low death rate among Latin American countries on a per capita basis.
"We did much better than other countries. But I do not say this so that we feel proud, I say it because we must protect ourselves better," the conservative said.
According to the National Institute of Health, Colombia ranks tenth in the region with an average of 561 deaths per million inhabitants: almost half of Peru (1,016) and about a quarter less than Brazil (719).
Colombia went under a national lockdown on March 25, then relaxed restrictions to shore up its collapsing economy. Since September 1, the country has been relying on individual responsibility and widespread use of masks in public places.
Duque says he has allocated resources of "close to 11 percent of GDP" -- some $31 billion -- to deal with the crisis.
Unemployment in cities nonetheless climbed to an all-time high of 19.6 percent in August.
With 308,645 infections, the Colombian capital Bogota accounts for a third of the country's cases and is the city most affected by the virus.
However, in recent weeks the number of Covid patients has soared in the department of Antioquia, with intensive care units at capacity.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PSX gains 771 points
PITB HR Wing organizes Eid Milan celebration for children at PITB Day Care Cente ..
Cabinet briefed on progress of PIA privatization
Meeting held to streamline trade between Pak-Afghan , Central Asian Republics
SONY x TECNO - is this for real?
Progress of Aaghosh, Bunyad, Khud Mukhtar programs discussed
SBP to announce monetary policy on April 29
London stocks hit new record peak on takeovers
Summer School on Understanding Greenhouse Gas Emission and Measurement Technique ..
Rupee sees slight recovery against US dollar
Govt to out source waste management companies to generate revenue
Rawat police arrest four robbers; recover Rs 700,000
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
7 hours ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
7 hours ago -
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
3 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
4 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
5 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
5 days ago
-
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
5 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
5 days ago -
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
7 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
11 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
12 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
12 days ago