A health worker wearing a protective gear tests people for coronavirus disease COVID-19 at a drive-thru testing while the spread of the coronavirus disease COVID-19 continues, in Monterrey
(Photo: Reuters)

The El Financiero newspaper was told that many people do not believe that COVID-19 continues to exist, and people are simply not following the advised safety measures, like remaining at home, due to the current fragile economic condition.

Healthcare professionals in hospitals in many Mexican state municipalities have cautioned of a "ticking time bomb" because too many people refuse to accept the social distancing guidelines of the government in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Many people with severe symptoms of coronavirus, like those with symptoms of fever and dry cough, have not been screened for the disease and are thus not identified as COVID-19 patients. The healthcare professionals also said their facilities have little or no equipment, as well as a shortage of medications and personnel required to give patients appropriate coronavirus care.

The healthcare professionals also accused local officials of not making enough of an effort to bring awareness about COVID-19 as well as its risks. As a result, people continue to work, shop, and have food beyond their residences as though there is no coronavirus.

On Saturday, President López Obrador said that "the vast majority" seems to be doing the proper thing and remaining in their homes as much as they possibly can. However, the illustration of public doctors in Mexico paints a very different picture.

Also contradicting the president, on Saturday night, Deputy Minister of Health Hugo López-Gatell mentioned that the social distancing guidelines had not been practiced as the state would like, similar to other parts of the country as well.  

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A federal deputy who represents the state of Mexico, Mónica Bautista, mentioned that the need for more personal protective equipment (PPE) for the medical professionals has still not been met. The shortage of PPE is the source of COVID-19 illnesses among many of the state's medical professionals, she stated, noting that even the emergency department director at the Nezahualcóyotl hospital in La Perla risked his life to the virus.

In Sonora on Monday, a tighter "stay in-home" policy was enforced to curb the transmission of COVID-19. Governor Jaime Rodríguez Calderón of Nuevo León announced on Friday that his administration also was contemplating using the military to make sure that people do not leave their residence.

Even though López-Gatell had previously stated that somehow the launch of the social distancing program would eventually lead to a reduction in the percentage COVID-19 cases, he later went on record, claiming it is still too early to determine the effect of the measures being taken.

The confirmed COVID-19 reports in April are increasing gradually, taking the total to 5,000. In Mexico, only fewer than 300 people have been affected by the epidemic, which has now killed about 120,000 people worldwide.