Mexico City mayor warns of potential coronavirus rebound as hospitalisations rise

Mexico City: The mayor of Mexico City warned on Friday, July 24 of a possible resurgence of coronavirus cases in the sprawling capital in the coming months, noting that hospitalisations have been on the rise in recent days.

Mexico City and its surrounding areas, home to more than 20 million people, have been the epicentre of the country's pandemic after infections were first detected in late February. Cases began to level off in mid-June, but authorities now fear that downward trend could reverse. Testing sites have been rolled out in areas of the capital under red alert for infections.

Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum told a press conference that in the last five days hospitalisations had increased. At this rate, she cautioned, hospitalisation levels by October could exceed those registered in June, at the height of the pandemic. Mexico City's government began relaxing measures intended to curb the spread of the coronavirus on June 15, leading to the reopening of the dense and bustling historical centre, along with shopping centres and restaurants. In addition, thousands of factory workers have returned to their jobs.

Mexico on Thursday, July 23 reported 8,438 new cases of coronavirus, a record single-day increase, bringing the total number of infections to 370,712. The country, which has the fourth highest death toll of any country, has registered 41,908 overall fatalities.