'We are still in the first wave of Covid-19', says PAHO director regarding the increase in cases.

247 - The director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Carissa Etienne, stated that the world is still in the first wave of the coronavirus. "What we are seeing now is not a second wave. It is still the first wave and I fear it will continue to grow. This wave is moving within each country, affecting areas that had not registered many cases," said Etienne.

The official warned about the so-called "interiorization" of the disease, the increase in cases outside major urban centers, in small towns in the interior of countries. The reports were published in... O Globo newspaper.

"The pandemic is moving from large cities, which tend to have better hospital capacity, to smaller cities that may not be able to accommodate patients who need ICUs or specialized care. Therefore, mortality could increase if newly infected people have difficulty getting the care they need," he added.

Brazilian Jarbas Barbosa, deputy director of PAHO, stressed the importance of a unified message from governments.

"It's important to have a clear and consistent message for the population. These are very difficult times, and for the population to be able to continue with social distancing measures, a clear and evidence-based message is key to a successful response," he said.