COVID-19: Peru in Need of Oxygen

As of June 2020, 9,600 people have lost their lives due to the coronavirus in Peru

COVID-19 affected not only the United States, but also everyone around the globe. As of June 30, 2020, 9,600 citizens have died in Peru due to the pandemic. The total death rate is 87% higher than the average rate expected in a normal year. Despite the aggressive response to the public health crisis, which included shutdowns and the closing of its borders, Peru saw a continuous surge of the virus. In a country where the transmission rate is higher than average, people were forced to venture out for food as a result of not owning a refrigerator.

Resources are scarce in Peru. Not everyone who contracts the virus can be treated, ultimately leading to more infections and deaths. On April 9th, Dr. Ramal from Iquitos Hospital reached out to our community for help, noting that the hospital is overflowing with patients and is unable to provide the proper care that they need. Dr. Ramal expressed guilt and sadness as he had to witness tragedy after tragedy due to not having enough resources, like oxygen. He described people being carried out in black garbage bags - 20 to 30 bags a day mostly due to a lack of oxygen.

The price of oxygen spiked, from $140 to $700, and was not locally available. In the hospital, medical staff were also at risk, with a doctor’s transmission rate of 30% on site. The situation is dire in Peru - people who are unaware that they are infected are exposing others to the virus and people are left to die in the streets.

With the help of Carepak and many others in New Jersey and New York, $18,000 worth of oxygen tanks and testing kits were provided to Iquitos Hospital. If you would like to amplify our impact, please contact Pastor Oh (The Business Redeemer) via email: bmsfa@msn.com.