Peru prepares to avoid new COVID-19 surge

Hundreds of people were tested on Friday, as Peruvian authorities promoted health efforts to face the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, days after the number of positive cases decreased.

As more contagious variants of the virus are most likely responsible for the latest surge in cases and deaths, the health ministry installed an open-air, public service of testing in the capital, Lima.

Jose Hidalgo, who was tested for COVID-19 at the new testing facility, praised the initiative.

Peru's health authorities said it was part of the preparations in case of another surge in cases.

The country's president, Pedro Castillo, on Friday inaugurated an oxygen generator plant at Archbishop Loayza National Hospital in Lima, a milestone for the country's healthcare system.

During the past year, hospitals in Peru had obtained oxygen supplies from third parties, often leading to scarcity when the highest number of severe COVID-19 cases was reported.

More than 7 million people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in Peru, where 197,000 have died due to the illness.