The scramble for Covid-19 testing, which had dropped off substantially during April and May, is rising once more in tandem with the infection rates in Jalisco.
Private clinics that perform tests, such as Salud Digna in Guadalajara, are reporting a surge in bookings, while calls to the Jalisco Health Department (SSJ) hotline number to schedule free appointments have increased ten-fold in the last week, according to the latest data.
Calls to the hotline averaged 57 a day throughout May, but skyrocketed in the first week of July. On July 1, operators attended to 535 calls, while on June 6 the number had risen to 981, the SSJ said.
The 24-hour coronavirus hotline (333-823-3220) offers information about symptoms and treatments, and books people for Covid-19 tests at clinics authorized by the federal government. Currently, the line is staffed by 24 operators working several shifts, but the number can be increased to 50 if necessary, the SSJ said.
On July 4, almost 5,000 Covid tests were carried out at public and private clinics, according to the SSJ.