Argentine official warns community transmission of COVID-19 over upcoming holidays

BUENOS AIRES - Argentina’s Ministry of Health on Monday warned the public about the persistence of community transmission of the COVID-19, and urged caution over the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“We continue in the vast majority of localities with community transmission. That means the virus continues to circulate despite the fact that in many places it is decreasing,” said Analia Rearte, the ministry’s national director of Epidemiology and Analysis, according to state news agency Telam. Rearte also called on residents to keep up preventive measures during Christmas and New Year holidays.

“The circulation of the virus is greater in enclosed spaces, it is greater when there are a large number of people, it is greater when those people are not one of our usual circle, and it is greater when we do not respect distancing measures, when we do not use masks,” said Rearte. People should also “limit the consumption of alcohol in excess. That causes us to lose sight of ... distancing regulations,” she added. Argentina registered its first case of COVID19 on March 3 and reported a total of 1,547,138 cases of infection and 41,997 deaths as of Monday. The Argentine government has extended mandatory social distancing measures until Jan. 31, 2021. (Xinhua)