Argentina, which initiated one of the strictest lockdowns in the world on March 20, has 1,116,609 coronavirus cases, according to government data, though new daily cases have slowed in recent days. Only the United States, India, Brazil and Mexico are reporting more daily deaths.
Capital Buenos Aires and the surrounding area suffered the brunt of infections early on, though infections are now worse in the country’s interior, straining areas with fewer resources and health personnel. Intensive care units in the country are at 64.4% capacity, the government said, but hospitals in some provinces are nearing the brink.
“There are places that are working at almost 100%. Rosario, Córdoba, Río Negro, Neuquén, Mendoza,” said Arnaldo Dubin, an intensive care physician in the city of La Plata in Buenos Aires province.
