Ecuador: Authorities increase COVID-19 case numbers as tests are processed April 23 /update 7

Event

On Thursday, April 23, the Ministry of Health announced an increase of 10,977 confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases which come from an accumulation of virus tests that were awaiting analysis. An additional 23,268 tests are yet to be processed. Officially, the new total number of COVID-19 cases is 22,160, and the death toll remains at 560.

Investigative reporting, however, has shown that there are several thousand patients that have died in recent weeks in the country with no testing, which has the potential to significantly skew the true total number of cases nationwide. The source indicates that the death toll may be up to 15 times higher than that which is reported, noting an increase of 7600 additional deaths in Ecuador between Sunday, March 1, and Wednesday, April 15, compared to the year prior. The investigation also found that many who have died in homes and hospitals have not been counted as COVID-19 victims, with authorities often stating the cause of death as lung failure or other associated issues.
As of Monday, April 13, a tiered movement restriction scheme was rolled out by province based on the number of COVID-19 cases, in which each province will be labeled as either green, yellow, or red. The measures will be implemented in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 nationwide. Each color will have a set of associated restrictions, which will outline movement restrictions in each province. As of Friday, April 24, the nation is under red restrictions, which indicate that individuals are permitted to leave home for essential goods and services exclusively. A nightly curfew is in place, from 14:00 until 05:00 (local time) nationwide. Those that do not abide by the policy will face a fine of USD 100. Repeat offenders will face prison time. All inter-province travel is prohibited, and face masks are required in public.

As of Monday, April 6, a nationwide vehicle rationing system is in place: License plates ending in 1 and 2 can circulate on Mondays. License plates ending in 3 and 4 can circulate on Tuesdays. License plates ending in 5 and 6 can circulate on Wednesday. License plates ending in 7 and 8 can circulate on Thursdays. License plates ending in 9 and 0 can circulate on Fridays. No private cars may circulate on Saturdays and Sundays.

Public gatherings and events are suspended through the end of May. Classes are suspended through the end of April. All international arrivals to Ecuador by air were suspended and all foreign nationals have been barred from entering the country via any of its air, land, or sea border crossings, since Sunday, March 15. All Ecuadorean nationals have been barred from returning to Ecuador since Monday, March 16.

Other public areas such as gyms, cinemas, theaters, and other entertainment venues are subject to restrictions. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and other essential businesses remain open. Restaurants are open as well, though only for take-out service.

Further international spread of the virus to be expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently and share your previous travel history with your health care provider.