Colombian cities protest against more COVID infections Coronavirus pandemic News

The capital Bogota is facing a “hospital collapse” and infections will not go down until the end of May, the mayor said.

Colombia’s three largest cities have reached the third peak in coronavirus cases and have extended too many intensive care units after nearly two weeks anti-government protests, said local authorities.

An demonstrations caused by anger a tax plan that has now been canceled began on April 28th. Protesters’ requests have expanded basic income, an end to police violence, and the abolition of long-discussed health care reform.

The marches seem to continue for the foreseeable future, as protest leaders and the government are opposed despite holding a first meeting to discuss the demands.

The first meeting between Colombia President Ivan Duque and the National Strike Committee ended on Monday without an agreement between the parties.

Violence in some demonstrations has killed 26 people, including a police officer and injured more than 800 people, according to government data. Human rights organizations that have denounced numerous police abuses during the protests say the death toll is higher.

Meanwhile, the capital of Bogota said it had a “hospital collapse” in a press conference given by Mayor Claudia Lopez on Monday, and that this week the infection will not go down as predicted.

“It’s a care pact that has saved us from pollution for 16 months that was broken two weeks ago in Colombia,” Lopez said. “Because it breaks down every day, we run the risk of mass death. Being at 96 percent of the ICU is on the verge of falling into the hospital. ”

Lopez said the decline in infections will not come until the end of May, adding that the protests make quarantine restrictions virtually unenforceable, even though alcohol sales have been extended and restrictions have been extended.

In Bogotá, Colombia, protesters were calling for government action to address poverty, police violence and inequalities in health and education systems. [Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters]

In Medellin, the ICU, which has been in full swing for almost a week or so, is preparing for a potential crisis, Health Secretary Andree Uribe told Reuters in a video.

“We know the cases will increase, we are vigilant, we are taking actions for early identification, like testing everyone involved in the marches,” he said.

Calin, the focus of the protest, said the protests were likely to be the culmination of the day, according to Health Secretary Miyerlandi Torres.

“We are concerned about marches that do not comply with self-protection protocols such as physical distance and the use of face masks,” he said.

“And with the presence of strains like the British, which are so contagious, it has been stated that the figures will not fall in the short term.”

Cali’s ICUs are about 95 percent occupied, according to local government data.