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Why are covid-19 cases increasing in Argentina? 3:24
(CNN Spanish) - This Friday, April 3, marks a month since the coronavirus arrived in Argentina. They are only 30 days, but in which everyone's life changed radically: a country that is in the midst of a quarantine practically paralyzed, with classes suspended and forcing the vast majority of Argentines to stay at home.
According to the most recent official data (as of this Friday afternoon), Argentina has 1,353 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 42 deaths from the pandemic. Although surely in a few minutes those figures will be outdated.
This is the reason why you must obey the quarantine in Argentina 0:33The coronavirus was declared in Argentina on Tuesday, March 3, when the Ministry of Health confirmed the first infected in the country: a 43-year-old man who had arrived from Italy.
Four days after the first case, on Saturday, March 7, the first death was confirmed: a 64-year-old man who had arrived from France.
On Wednesday, March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus pandemic and the Alberto Fernández government established the mandatory quarantine for Argentines and foreigners who had returned from countries at risk.
From that moment, the measures to try to contain the covid-19 and then its economic consequences began to follow.
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The following day, on Thursday, March 12, President Alberto Fernández spoke for the first time on the national network to announce new measures through a decree of necessity and urgency: the suspension of travel in risk areas for one month, the expansion of the one-year health emergency and the banning of events with more than 200 people, together with the provision that sporting events be held without an audience.
But none of that would prevent the second day, on Friday the 13th, from confirming the second death.
On Sunday March 15, for the first time, President Fernández appeared alongside the Governor of the province of Buenos Aires, Axel Kicillof and the Head of Government of the Argentine capital, Horacio Rodríguez Larreta. Together they announced the suspension of classes and the closing of cinemas and theaters, an iconic activity in Buenos Aires.
But beyond the measures, that was the first time that unity between the Argentine leadership was explicitly shown, regardless of political differences. An unusual gesture in a country that has had a strong polarization for years.
They turned their garage into an isolation room 2:46In addition, in that week the Government began to announce financial aid to alleviate the effects of the crisis caused by the coronavirus. For example, bonuses were announced for retirees and beneficiaries of the universal child and pregnancy allowance.
On Wednesday, March 18, the third person died from covid-19. And with 97 cases confirmed until then, the construction of eight modular emergency hospitals is announced.
But the most relevant announcements would arrive the next day. On Thursday, March 19, the Government of Argentina issued a new decree of necessity and urgency: "preventive and compulsory social isolation."
"That means that from that moment no one can move from his residence," said Fernández when communicating it.
As of Friday the 20th, the Argentines were required to remain at home. Since then, strong police checks and roadblocks have also begun to enforce the measure.
Quarantine
