Virus provision kits from China arrive in Mexico

A plane from China carrying medical protection kits commissioned by the Mexican government landed in Mexico City on late Tuesday evening.

Mexico, which has a total of 2,785 coronavirus cases and a reported 141 fatalities, announced the establishment of an airlift with China to bring all kinds of medical supplies from the Asian country.

The first flight brought personal protection items, gloves, N95 masks, caps and goggles.

According to Hugo Lopez-Gatell, spokesman for the federal government for the pandemic and Under-Secretary of health, this first shipment "will cover practically 100% of the necessity of personal protection kits, for the health units of the national healthcare system."

Based on needs identified by the sector, the masks and gloves purchased will be distributed this week to the Mexican Social Security Institute, the Institute of Security and Social Services for State Workers, Petróleos Mexicanos and the Ministry of the Navy.

They will also be given to the Coordinating Commission of National Health Institutes and High Specialty Hospitals; the Institute of Diagnosis and Epidemiological Reference, and the Decentralized Administrative Body for Prevention and Social Readaptation.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.