MEXICO CITY (AP) – Mexico on Saturday posted its second consecutive day of more than 20,000 cases of coronavirus, suggesting a boom in a country already struggling in many areas with overcrowded hospitals.
There were 20,523 newly established cases Saturday, after 21,366 infections were reported Friday. That was about a double daily increase just a week ago. Reporting usually drops over weekends, indicating that next week may bring even higher numbers.
The country also recorded another 1,219 deaths, an almost record.
The country has now seen nearly 1.63 million total infections and so far registered more than 140,000 deaths in the pandemic.
The country’s extremely low test rate means it’s an understatement, and official estimates suggest the actual death toll is closer to 195,000.
Teams vaccinating health workers in the front line fired about 25,000 shots on Saturday, bringing the total to 463,000 so far. The numbers are still insufficient for the 750,000 frontline health workers, who each need two doses.
Mexico has reported severe reactions to the Pfizer vaccine in 24 people, six of whom remain in hospital.
In Mexico City, the current center of the pandemic in Mexico, 88% of hospital beds are full.
Mexico has pinned much of its hopes on cheaper, easier-to-handle vaccines manufactured by Chinese CanSino. But the vaccine has not yet been approved for use.
The country has also expressed interest in getting the AstraZeneca vaccine and the Russian Sputnik V vaccine.