News
Wednesday 27th October 2021.
October 27, 2021
The Ministry of Health (Minsa) detailed in its epidemiological report this Tuesday, that in the last 24 hours 215 new infections of Covid-19 and four people have died. The total number of deaths from Covid-19 is 7,314 and the fatality percentage is 1.5%. The report of the last 24 hours indicates that 2,283 active cases are currently maintained, of these 2,084 are home isolation -2007 in houses and 77 in hotels. Of the 199 hospitalized patients, 168 remain in wards and 31 in the intensive care unit (ICU). As for the patients who have overcome the disease, 227 new recoveries have been reported and the total number rises to 462,287. The Minsa calls on the population to maintain biosecurity measures and, in case of presenting symptoms related to the virus, they should seek medical attention and undergo a Covid-19 test.
The Expanded Vaccination Program of the Ministry of Health (Minsa) detailed that the coverage of the target population for the first dose of the vaccines against Covid-19 reaches as of Monday, October 25, 87.8%. According to the Minsa, in the country 5 million 778 thousand 524 doses of biological drugs have been applied against the new coronavirus. While the people who have received the first dose total 3 million 33 thousand 931 of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines. On the other hand, from January 20 to Monday October 25 in the country 2 million 659 thousand 822 people already have the two doses, that is, 77% of the target population.
The general budget of the State for the fiscal period of 2022 – which amounts to $25,294.7 million – was approved on the afternoon of this Tuesday, October 26, in the third debate by the plenary session of the National Assembly. It received 54 votes in favor and 4 against. There were no votes to abstain.
The deputies of the Credentials Commission of the National Assembly filed on the afternoon of this Tuesday, two complaints against the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo, and against the magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ), Hernán De León and Olmedo Arrocha. Arrocha maintained a criminal complaint and two complaints. Meanwhile, De León had a criminal complaint.
Three deputies from different benches and a group of political women’s organizations presented on the morning of this Tuesday, October 26, before the Supreme Court of Justice a lawsuit of unconstitutionality against the electoral reforms approved in the National Assembly. The lawsuit was filed by the PRD deputy Zulay Rodríguez; Ana Giselle Rosas, from Cambio Democrático and Yesenia Rodríguez, for the Panameñista Party.
Producers from different regions of the country blocked this Tuesday, the Inter-American highway at Divisa, in the province of Herrera, to demand a meeting with the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo. In search of answers from the Government to their requests, the producers opted to close Divisa, causing great traffic congestion. The closure began after 1:30 pm and they ask for the presence of the authorities. Hundreds of drivers moving to the interior of the country have been affected by this new closure. The high cost of the inputs and of continuing with the profitability margins on the part of the importers, the producers will not be able to continue producing, he emphasized. He explained that urea, which cost $ 20, has risen to $ 39 and $ 40 a quintal. Batista insisted that production costs have increased by 30% and up to 40%, hence, if it is profitable to continue selling a quintal of corn or rice at the same price.
Unemployment reached 281,634 people up until June of this year, according to the labor survey carried out by the Comptroller General of the Republic. The measurement, according to the entity, reflects a 4% decrease compared to the same period in 2020, when the country was still facing restrictive measures due to the Covid-19 pandemic . The telephone survey, which was conducted between June 7 and July 3, shows a national unemployment rate of 14.5% compared to 2020, when 18.5% was reported.
Sara Rodríguez, former general director of the National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and the Family (Senniaf), attended the National Assembly’s Commission for Women, Children, Youth and the Family on the morning of this Tuesday, October 26. Rodríguez had to answer a questionnaire of seven questions, which were related to the situation of the shelters in the country. “As a first point, thank you for the space and apologize for the previous absences, due to personal appointments I could not attend them, however, as a citizen I am gladly assuming the duty” to answer the questions, said Rodríguez to the deputies. Chandler recalled that for six months the deputies who make up the commission went to the shelters. “I find it curious that you mention all the procedures you carried out because during your administration we detected shelters that did not even have permits,” Chandler told Rodríguez.