MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Paraguay reports that five cases have tested positive to Covid-19, and 25 are under quarantine

Minister Mazzoleni revealed that the second confirmed patient with Covid-19 entered the country by land from neighboring Cordoba, in Argentina (Pic Agencia IP)

Paraguay confirmed that five cases have tested positive to Covid-19, and announced it was closing all schools and universities, public and private, and suspending all public and private activities that involve crowding people, for the next fifteen days.

The decision was announced on Tuesday evening by Health minister Julio Mazzoleni who added that another 25 patients are under sanitary investigation.

The banned groupings refer to religious, sports, leisure and political activities plus gatherings in closed theatres such as cinemas and conventions, with the purpose of avoiding the spread of the coronavirus.

Football matches can go ahead but with empty stadiums.

Following a cabinet meeting Minister Mazzoleni revealed that the second confirmed patient with Covid-19 entered the country by land from neighboring Cordoba, in Argentina, and has been under intensive care since March 5.

Likewise two doctors who first contacted and checked the 84-year old patient are also hospitalized.

Mazzoleni said that despite the situation he was optimistic since the measures implemented “have proved to be effective in other countries”.

However Education and Science minister Eduardo Petta who announced a plan to recover lost classes, also cautioned that ”we must be ready because things can get worse when the cold and (austral) winter arrive”.

Paraguay is also combating endemic dengue, a mosquito transmitted disease that so far this season has killed 46 people and has infected an estimated 150,000, according to official stats from the Health ministry.