Covid-19: Mexican authorities overwhelmed by death toll

By James Blears

Authorities in the Northern Mexican State of Baja California, confirm they`ve run out of death certificates. While colleagues in Mexico City and the adjoining State of Mexico say they`re almost totally out of forms.  This adds up to an urgent and immediate need for one million death certificates.

It`s chillingly significant, because Mexico City, The Federal District and the State of Mexico are home to more than twenty million people, many of whom live in close proximity.  

Mexico`s nationwide death toll is already officially more than 67,000 with more than a quarter of a million people infected.  But Health Officials and experts admit that this is a considerable  underestimation of the true figure, which is going to end up far higher. 

Two companies have revealed that they`ve each received orders from the Government for one million body bags. John Hopkins University estimates that in a worst case scenario, Mexico`s death toll could be 157,000 by year end. 

As things stand right now Mexico`s death toll is fourth, after the United States, Brazil and India. One of the most serious problems with Mexico is the lack of testing, which is virtually non existent.  There`s also a high death toll, even when people reach  hospitals. Many don`t trust them and try to treat themselves at home, with disastrous results.