Ecuador redoubles efforts to prevent large-scale outbreaks of COVID-19 variants

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QUITO, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador is redoubling efforts to maintain control of at least six variants and other lineages of the novel coronavirus circulating in the country in order to avoid large-scale community outbreaks, as hundreds of confirmed cases are reported, Health Minister Ximena Garzon said on Thursday.

During a press conference, the official said that the ministry is implementing a strategy that includes three epidemiological monitoring rings to contain the variants, as well as controls at airports and ports for their early detection.

In Ecuador there are two types of variants classified as "of concern" and "of interest," Garzon explained, in addition to other lineages that have been detected in genomic sequencing analysis of the virus.

"The variants of concern are characterized by greater contagion," she said, emphasizing that it is key for citizens to maintain health measures.

The Delta variant, which is of most concern, concentrates in the province of El Oro, where there is already community transmission of the variant, leading the government to renew a state of exception for 30 days on Wednesday to prevent its spread to other parts of the country.

Ecuador had 484,708 COVID-19 infections and 22,078 deaths as of Wednesday, according to the latest Ministry of Health report. Enditem

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