Bolivia: Over 100,000 COVID-19 cases confirmed as of August 18 /update 16

Event

Bolivian health authorities have recorded over 100,000 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases as of Tuesday, August 18. In the last 24 hours, 879 new COVID-19 cases have been reported with 65 associated deaths, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 101,223 with 4123 associated deaths.

Authorities have extended the national quarantine measures in place until at least August 31. Under these measures, there is a ban on public gatherings with the exception of religious services, provided they respect social distancing measures. A curfew between 18:00 and 05:00 (local time) remains in effect from Monday to Friday. The wearing of face masks is mandatory in all public places and social distancing measures must be practiced.

International flights also remain suspended, and all borders closed. Returning Bolivian citizens and residents, diplomats, members of special missions and NGOs, essential workers, and cargo flights remain exempt from the border closure.

Further spread of the virus is expected in 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). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

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

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

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, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.