Even though health authorities in Jalisco have yet to confirm a single case of coronavirus in the state, they are maintaining a full alert for any possible outbreak.
Filters have been installed in the domestic and international arrivals areas at both the Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta airports.
At press time, the Jalisco Health Department (SSJ) has studied and rejected 12 possible cases of Covid-19. Another six are currently under investigation.
Health Secretary Fernando Petersen said the state’s three largest hospitals – the Hospital General de Occidente and the two Hospitales Civiles de Guadalajara – are fully equipped and prepared to handle an outbreak.
Petersen also urged citizens anxious about contracting coronavirus to refrain from purchasing surgical face masks, since stocks are running low and they are primarily required by medical personnel.
As of Thursday, March 5, there had been five confirmed Covid-19 cases in Mexico – three men and two women in the states of Coahuila, Chiapas and Sinaloa. According to federal heath authorities, all had returned to Mexico after traveling in Italy, where there have been more than 3,000 cases confirmed and 107 deaths.
The SSJ has set up an emergency hotline for coronavirus information at 333-823-3220.