Cozumel News April 10, 2021

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Cozumel News April 10: COVID – 19 Semaforo Week of April 12 to 18, Secretaria de Salud Quintana Roo COVID-19 Daily Reports, U.S. Embassy Mexico City COVID-19 Update, Airline Requirements going into the United States, Eligibility of Vaccine to U.S. Citizens in Mexico, Mexican States in Orange Traffic Light, Mexican States in Yellow Traffic Light, Mexican States in GreenTraffic Light, Cozumel COVID Vaccine Update, and more!

COVID – 19 Semaforo Week of April 12 to 18

The State of Quintana Roo will remain in the yellow Traffic Light for the northern and southern region of the State. Relaxation of safety procedures will generate an increase in infections and can result in loss of progress.

Secretaria de Salud Quintana Roo COVID-19 Daily Reports

There has been a change to the COVID-19 daily reports from Secretaria de Salud Quintana Roo. The new format only gives statewide numbers. As a result, we have no idea on the number of infections, deaths, etc. on the island. The only break down reported by municipality is the number of vaccines administered to date.

Cozumel News April 10 Continued

Keep informed on the COVID-19 related news in Cozumel, Mexico by joining The Cozumel Sun Facebook Group! Read VERIFIED information as it is confirmed.

U.S. Embassy Mexico City COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 cases in Mexico continue to decrease after peaking in the first week of January 2021. As of April 1, Mexico City, Mexico State, Guanajuato, Puebla, and Queretaro report the highest number of active cases. As of April 6, Puebla is the only state reporting a hospital occupancy rate above 30 percent for regular COVID-19 beds. Mexican health authorities reiterated calls for people to follow prevention measures, including leaving home only for essential activities, maintaining social distance, washing hands frequently, and wearing masks (particularly indoors). Schools remain closed in nearly all states.

Airline Requirements going into the United States

Effective January 26, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test (PCR or antigen) taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the United States who have been sick and recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel may provide proof of a positive COVID-19 viral test along with documentation from a licensed health care provider confirming their recovery. Check the CDC’s Frequently Asked Questions for additional information. This requirement does not currently apply to travelers entering the United States by land or sea or to children under two years of age. It applies to U.S. citizens, as well as foreign nationals, regardless of vaccination status.

Eligibility of Vaccine to U.S. Citizens in Mexico

The Mexican government approved several COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use. Federal health authorities have assured the vaccine will be available to Mexican citizens, as well as temporary and permanent residents. Local policies for vaccine distribution may vary, so we encourage you to consult with your local health care authorities and professionals about how to receive the vaccine. Please review our English language instructions on how to register for the vaccine. At the time of your appointment, you may be asked to provide evidence of identity and residence. Please contact the local entity distributing the vaccine to confirm the documentary requirements prior to your appointment. We encourage U.S. citizens residing in Mexico to follow host country developments and guidelines, in particular the Government of Mexico’s national vaccination plan against COVID-19 (Spanish only).

National Traffic Light

The national stoplight system allows for a gradual phase-in of economic activities in states and municipalities. The system’s four colors indicate risk level from maximum to minimum (red, orange, yellow, and green). The four metrics to determine the colors are the trend in numbers of new cases, hospital occupancy trends, current hospital occupancy rates, and the percentage of positive cases. No states are currently designated “red” under the federal stoplight system.

Mexican States in Orange Traffic Light

Seven states are designated “orange” under the federal system between March 29 and April 11 (Chihuahua, Hidalgo, Mexico City, Mexico State, Puebla, Queretaro, and Yucatan). Under orange, hotels, restaurants, barbershops, open-air parks, and gyms are limited to 50 percent capacity. Markets and supermarkets will operate at 75 percent capacity. Shopping malls, churches, cinemas, theaters, museums, and cultural events will be limited to 25 percent capacity.

Mexican States in Yellow Traffic Light

Eighteen states are designated “yellow” under the federal stoplight system between March 29 and April 11 (Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Colima, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Michoacan, Morelos, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tlaxcala, and Zacatecas). Under yellow, all work activities are permitted. Public space may open on a regular basis, while enclosed public spaces can open with reduced capacity. All activities should be carried out with basic prevention measures. People at higher risk of developing COVID-19 symptoms should continue to take extra precautions.

Mexican States in GreenTraffic Light

Seven states are designated “green” under the federal stoplight system between March 29 and April 11 (Campeche, Chiapas, Coahuila, Jalisco, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, and Veracruz). Under green, all economic and social activities, including school, are permitted while taking appropriate precautions.

Traveling into Mexico

Travelers entering Mexico may be subject to temperature checks and additional health screening. Travelers may experience significant delays and face the possibility of being returned to the United States or asked to quarantine in Mexico. The United States and Mexico entered a joint initiative on March 21, 2020, restricting non-essential travel along the U.S.-Mexico land border to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus; this restriction has been extended until April 21, 2021. Non-essential travel includes tourism and recreational travel. These restrictions apply to travel in both directions across the border.

Mexican border and local authorities are conducting enforcement actions to discourage non-essential travel in some areas. Travelers entering Mexico by land from the United States may be denied admission if the purpose of their visit is considered non-essential. We recommend that travelers carry evidence of the essential nature of their visit and evidence of their resident status in Mexico, if applicable. At some U.S. ports of entry, operating hours have changed; please review CBP’s Port of Entry wait times web page for additional information. Please see the DHS website or embassy fact sheet for more information.

Cozumel COVID Vaccine Update

Vaccines for Seniors 60 Plus

To date, there have been two deliveries earmarked for the first dose for seniors 60 and over. The first doses were administered February 25 and 26. The second delivery was approximately on March 12. There was a shortage of vaccines of February 26. I am not certain if there was a shortage problem on the second delivery. After a number of false starts, the second dose arrived on Monday April 5^th for those that received the first dose in February only.

IMSS

All locations were swamped. The first few people in line at IMSS had arrived ten the night before and had camped out overnight. When I arrived at five in the morning, the line was already over a block long. Luckily for me, seniors with canes, walkers, wheelchairs and the very elderly had their own line.

The vaccine arrived as scheduled at eight. However, there was a delay of almost an hour and a half while medical staff attempted to alphabetize the proof of vaccination forms. I was the third person to get vaccinated and did not get out of there until after ten. This is with the 30-minute observation period to make certain you do not have a reaction.

General Hospital

Sharon once again went to General Hospital. She was also the third one in line. However, she received her vaccine on a timely basis. All reports indicate that General Hospital’s operation ran smoothly all things considering.

Overall

Once again, I have no knowledge of how things went at the third site, ISSSTE. At IMSS I observed people being turned away, as only people that had received their first dose in February were eligible. A doctor gave us a lecture at eight in the morning stating that people should not have arrived so early. She stated the system would be faster this time around; and there was no need for panic. We were assured that each of the three sites received the exact number of vaccines needed for those they had vaccinated in February.

Low on Vaccines

Unfortunately, hundreds of people did not receive their second dose. It was my understanding the with hundreds of people still in line they ran out of vaccines. I do not know if they miscalculated or if they were careless at some point and vaccinated ineligible people.

Grateful and Relieved

I am eternally grateful and relieved to have received both doses of the vaccine! While things could have been handled better, stuff happens! I’m confident that in the coming two weeks we will be receiving vaccine deliveries for the remainder of the over 60 age group. Stay tuned to our Facebook Group for up to the minute updates on vaccine availability and scheduling.

Cozumel News April 10 Continued

How You Can Help the Community Kitchens in Cozumel

Visit any of the Community kitchens in Cozumel. Drop off a supermarket gift card, food, or cash. Volunteer to help, serve, shop, or clean. Donate through the Club Rotario de Cozumel or “Fundación de Cozumel.” Specify the money is for the kitchens at PayPal account www.paypal.me/FundacionCozumel. Donate through The Cozumel Sun PayPal Account and specify the money is for the community kitchen.

Aurita’s Cozumel Corner

I am still looking for the couples that donated the crutches and the new nebulizer. Please send me an email with your information and a photograph. My email is auraholguin@thecozumelsun.com. I will like to follow up your donation with an official letter from The Cozumel Sun thanking you for your generous gifts!

The Cozumel Sun Community Assistance

Serving the Cozumel Community for 15 years

Over the past fifteen years we have done it all with the help our readers and sponsors. We have provided drop in Meals, Groceries, Medical Emergencies, Medicine, Clothing, School Supplies, Tuitions, Testing Fees, Shelter Repairs, Business Training and Start-Up, Christmas & Three Kings Day Gifts for children. In the past two months we have been feeding 11 – 13 people daily in our household alone.

Here is your community on-line Resource! Cannot find an answer? Contact The Cozumel Sun News and we will assist you!

Cozumel Sun Available Free Medications

Alprazolam-2 mg – Xanax – Anxiety and panic disorder (sleeping) 3 boxes of 30, Enalapril 10 mg. – Blood Pressure. 4 boxes of 30 tablets., and HFA Beclometasona – Aerosol 50 mcg Inhaler.

Cozumel Sun Available Medical Equipment to Loan

We have a loaner wheelchair, Crutches, nebulizer, and a portable bedside toilet. Walkers and canes are always in demand as we give them away. If anyone has some extras around the house, feel free to drop them off to us. Walkers and canes are used by the elderly; we just donate them.

Other Medical Supplies

We have an assortment of braces, medical support hose, and miscellaneous medication and supplies in our trusty family locker. Always check with us. Once a year we clean house and donate everything on hand to DIF or another agency to distribute. However, we quickly start accumulating donations and items that our own large extended family collects.

Cozumel News April 10,, 2021 Continued

Donate to The Cozumel Sun

We function ON DONATIONS ONLY. Please lend your support. Help us continue to serve the people of Cozumel. During the Pandemic, our resources have been extended to the Community Kitchens that are feeding hundreds in Cozumel.

Other Ways to Help

As a result of the lingering COVID symptoms it takes everything in my power to continue The Cozumel Sun. You can help a number of ways. Feel free to contribute articles. If you belong to a community organization, make certain that I have it listed in Donate or Volunteer. If it is listed in this section, please check that the information is current. Email me any corrections or additions.

Procedures are constantly changing in Mexico. If you conclude a transaction, please check and make certain that my version of the process is current. Even better, write about the process and send it to me. I can publish it and update the information in The Cozumel Sun Website.

Last of all, if you see a typo, please let me know. I will not be insulted I will be grateful! I have no editor or staff to check my work. All constructive criticism is greatly appreciated!