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Thursday 15th July 2021.

July 15, 2021

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) reported this Wednesday, July 14, that in the last 24 hours 1,515 new cases of coronavirus have been reported, so the accumulated number increases to 418,604. In addition, 7 new deaths are reported. The cumulative death toll is 6,661. Leonardo Labrador, head of epidemiology at the Minsa, explained that in the last hours 15,602 new tests were applied (positivity of 9.7%). He highlighted that the number of people who recovered from Covid-19 is 398,300 and active cases amount to 13,643. Meanwhile, the number of people in quarantine totals 12,900, and of them 12,538 are isolated at home and 362 in hotels. While 632 people are confined in the hospital wards and 111 are in intensive care units (ICU). Labrador explained that this week the Rt dropped: from 1.10 last week to 1.01 this Wednesday. He indicated that the provinces where there is an increase in cases are in Los Santos, Herrera and Panama Oeste. The official stressed that the cases have dropped in the metropolitan area, in Chiriquí and in the district of San Miguelito.

The Minister of Health, Luis Francisco Sucre, announced that from next July 18, a total quarantine will begin on Sundays in the district of San Carlos , province of Oeste Panama. The decision of this quarantine, which includes a work restriction and the hours will be from 10:00 pm, Saturday until 4:00 am, Monday, is taken to reduce the contagion of Covid-19 in that sector.

The president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (Cciap), Jose Ramón Icaza, affirmed that this is not the time to intensify mobility restrictions in the capital city, if the hospital capacity is taken into account compared to the coronavirus pandemic .

The president of the National Assembly , Crispiano Adames, and members of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (Cciap) held a meeting this Wednesday, to discuss the projects related to the economy of the country which rest in the legislature.

The Association for the Reduction of Harm by Smoking of Panama and the Association of Smokers and Family Members for a Panama Free of Smoke asked the president,  Laurentino Cortizo , to veto as unenforceable Bill 178, which prohibits the use and commercialization of electronic administration systems of nicotine, and other substances. According to the two associations, the Assembly “insists” on forcing more than 240 thousand smokers to consume traditional or combustion cigarettes, with all the implications that this can generate for the health of the person and their families.

Foreign Minister Erika Mouynes asked this Wednesday, July 14, the Ambassador of Panama in Washington, Juan De Dianous, to present a formal note to the United States with “the arguments why we do not consider a level 4 appropriate for Panama”, in the travel warnings that that country makes to its citizens.

The Public Ministry and the National Police reported that they apprehended on Tuesday, a person allegedly linked to the murder of Ken Karasawa, graphic designer of Revista K , who was shot to death last Sunday at the age of 36. The detainee is Edwin Rodríguez, alias Fulo, an emerging singer of urban music.

The President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo , appointed a high-level team to renegotiate the concession held by the Minera Panamá company . These are the Ministers of Commerce and Industry, Ramón Martínez , who will coordinate it; of Economy and Finance, Héctor Alexander ; of Environment, Milciades Concepción ; and of Work and Labor Development, Doris Zapata .

The National Energy Secretariat (SNE) reported on Wednesday afternoon, July 14, that 95 octane gasoline will increase by 10 cents per gallon as of July 16. In the district of Panama, a gallon of 95 octane gasoline will cost 3 dollars 55 cents and for gasoline of 91 octane 3 dollars and 39 cents. In addition, the low-sulfur diesel will be marketed at 2 dollars and 92 cents.

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