Health organization: Nicaragua won't allow hospital access

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — The Pan-American Health Organization said Tuesday that Nicaragua's government has denied its personnel access to the nation's hospitals despite having offered access, a move adding to the widespread belief President Daniel Ortega is trying to underplay the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ciro Ugarte, the emergencies director for the regional health body, said Nicaraguan officials contacted his organization a week ago to say they would comply with requirements to provide detailed information about coronavirus cases and deaths, as well as allow visits to hospitals.

“Up to now, none of these actions have occurred, despite repeated requests from the PHO,” Ugarte said.

Up to this week, Nicaragua had reported only 25 confirmed COVID-19 cases and eight related deaths. Those numbers became more difficult to defend as more Nicaraguans spoke out about the deaths of their relatives and reports mounted of near-clandestine burials.

On Tuesday, Nicaragua's Health Ministry suddenly increased the case count tenfold, to 254, and said the number of deaths had grown to 17.

But there is evidence suggesting that might still be a vast under-count. Victims' relatives claim that some cases are simply listed as “atypical pneumonia” or “respiratory failure.”

On Monday, Ortega acknowledged that “some” of the 309 cases of people who have died of pneumonia since January might have involved COVID-19. Interestingly, on May 3 the health ministry had reported only 86 pneumonia deaths so far this year, suggesting there were 223 such deaths between May 3 and May 15.

Ortega’s government has not implemented social distancing measures used elsewhere and continues to promote mass gatherings. Schools remain open and professional sporting events still draw...