Coronavirus Update March 17

Cd. Juárez Confirms One Case of Coronavirus

State of Chihuahua Closes all Schools from K-9

**NorteDigital (click here) reports late this morning that a 29 year old man in Juárez has been tested positive for the coronavirus.  He had recently traveled to Europe, including Italy.  Two other persons have been tested and are awaiting the results.  

 

 Note:  from this report it would appear that Juárez has been testing only persons who have recently traveled abroad or, perhaps, to areas in Mexico already infected.  If this were true, it would mean that the virus, if it entered Juárez from other places, arriving, say, by bus or truck, might be spreading undetected through populations that are unaware of the danger.  Only extensive testing can determine the extent of infection in Juárez, and it appears this is not happening, or at least has not been happening until now.

 

**Chihuahua Secretary of Public Education Carlos Herrera announced this morning (click here) that beginning on Monday all "basic level" (first grade through ninth grade) schools would close, teachers in high schools and universities will prepare to resume their jobs at home.  As it stands now this involves 1.1 million children and 70,000 teachers.