Peru manufactures respirators for virus patients

Peru will start manufacturing mechanical respirators to aid serious cases of COVID-19 patients, helping the country face a worldwide shortage of the medical devices.

A prototype of the ventilator was unveiled by military officers on Saturday, with the devices named "Samay" meaning "breathe" in Inca's Quechua.

President Martin Vizcarra said the model produced in Peru greatly reduces the cost compared to purchasing the ventilators on the global market.

Health authorities expect to have a batch of 100 devices by May, but the goal is to manufacture at least 500, a production that will be in undertaken by the Peruvian Navy, universities and private sector.

As of Saturday, Peruvian authorities have confirmed 1,746 COVID-19 cases, which includes 73 deaths and 914 people who are now healthy.

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 death.