Preparing for COVID-19
Although there have not yet been any novel coronavirus COVID-19 cases in Sonora, the state is preparing for a potential outbreak.
As a first step, Sonoran media reported last week that the state health ministry can now test for the novel coronavirus in Sonora.
Local testing capability
Gerardo Álvarez Hernández, the state’s general director of health promotion and disease prevention, announced on February 28 that Sonoran health officials had gone to Mexico City to learn about and prepare for viral testing.
There, they had training and received reagents and supplies so that the State Laboratory of Public Health can now perform testing instead of having to send samples to the national capitol.
Governor leads preparation efforts
Also last week, Sonora Governor Claudia Pavlovich Arellano chaired a meeting of the Cabinet of Health and Education to continue preparation for the onset of the epidemic. Attendees stressed that the public should not panic. They also announced that current information regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus in Sonora will be available on the state’s Facebook page.
Although no COVID-19 cases have been reported in Sonora, one of Mexico’s first cases was confirmed in its neighboring state of Sinaloa.