Bolivian Quarantine Update
A busy city street is shown empty as quarantine restrictions have halted public transit and private vehicles.
As we outlined in our first blog about Bolivia’s response to the pandemic, six days after confirming their first case of COVID-19, the government enacted a strict nation-wide quarantine to last March 17 through May 11. Schools were closed, normal work stopped in all but essential businesses, public transportation was halted and private transportation was outlawed. Only one member of the household was permitted to run errands, and only on the day of the week that corresponds to the last number of their national ID.
The first two COVID-19 cases in Bolivia were identified in patients who had recently returned from travelling in Italy. The Bolivian government had strong hopes that a strict quarantine would help stop the spread of the virus, but as we have all learned in these months, that is exceedingly challenging, if not impossible. To date, Bolivia has more than 4,400 confirmed cases, and 189 deaths. The most severe outbreak is centered in the department of Santa Cruz, in the low lying tropical region of the country.
The first phase of quarantine expired on May 11. The country has now adopted a three tier system, designating each locality as Low, Medium, or High Risk and applying quarantine protocols accordingly. Unfortunately, a majority of municipalities are still considered High Risk, especially in urban and peri-urban areas. Gratefully, the spread has been slower in some of the more rural areas, which is important because these regions also have the fewest medical resources.
The health situation remains very serious throughout the country. In Beni, nearly one-third of the known COVID-19 cases have affected health care workers. In Santa Cruz, the spread has overwhelmed the local hospitals and last week, the Medical Director of the Hospital Municipal de Niños, the children’s hospital where we partner said that they could not accept any additional pediatric patients with coronavirus. In Cochabamba, the Minister of Health is stressing that the confirmed cases of the disease are only the tip of the iceberg. In these areas of High Risk, including Cochabamba and Santa Cruz where the offices of Puente de Solidaridad are located, the strictest quarantine measures continue.
Meanwhile, other diseases continue to cause suffering. The number of patients reaching out to Puente de Solidaridad has been increasing, and despite the risks to their own health, the staff is working hard to find ways to serve. As a foundation that supports the health sector, they are seeking permission to work in the office by shifts and use the staff vehicle to distribute medical supplies.
People keep their distance while waiting in line for the pharmacy
“Our material support program is very busy, and we typically serve many patients each week,” said Patricia Vargas, Executive Director of Puente de Solidaridad, speaking of our program which provides essential medical supplies directly to patients who cannot otherwise access them; either because they are unaffordable or unavailable in the Bolivian market.
“Lately, we’ve been receiving more phone calls, and last week we were able to help three patients who needed colostomy supplies, as well as two patients who needed materials for urgent pulmonary surgery. But we know that not everyone has our information or the ability to call. This is why we must find a way to partially open our office. These patients need us,” said Vargas.
The material support program is a partnership—like all of our work—between Solidarity Bridge and Puente de Solidardiad. The materials we’ve sent reach patients who need them, through the innovation, collaboration, and good will of our Bolivian partners. With the same resolve that our partners have to open their offices to patients, we dedicate ourselves to procuring and delivering these important in-kind donations. Our medical supply wish list is available online, and safe delivery options at our office can be arranged. Please reach out to Program Director Jodi Grahl (jodi@solidaritybridge.org) if you can help with this effort.