COVID-19 in Peru: the need to pay attention to the high number of police deaths due to the pandemic

Abstract

Correspondence COVID-19 in Peru: the need to pay attention to the high number of police deaths due to the pandemic We have read with great interest the editorial titled "Facing the future-what lessons could we learn from Covid-19?" 1 and we agree with the message of learning the lessons of this pandemic, looking ahead and planning for the future. Likewise, the future could refer to months and even years later, however in such a changing scenario and where immediate needs are urgent, we are not allowed to wait and we are forced to learn and share experiences with other countries to face the near future.With more than 80 000 cases, 2267 deaths and only 1031 ICU beds for 33 million inhabitants, Peru is one of the Latin American countries with the greatest impact of the COVID-19 pandemic despite the early measures taken by the government. 2 Through a national emergency declaration, the Peruvian government established a quarantine from March 16, 3 which will run until May 24, however, to date there is still no stabilization and reduction in the number of new cases and deaths. Despite this, on May 11 the gradual reactivation of economic activities began in the national territory approved by Supreme Decree No. 080-2020-PCM. 4 According to experts, this should not only be allowed gradually but also by deploying extraordinary preventive measures to mitigate the progression of the disease and prevent the collapse of our precarious health system.With the declaration of a state of emergency, the police and armed forces were displaced to the streets to ensure order and internal security in order to avoid the spread of the disease in the population. However, even under quarantine, it has been possible to observe scenarios in which disorder, crowding and non-compliance with the social distance between the population prevail in places such as markets, public transport and groups of people returning from the cities to the countryside. This not only increases the risk of transmission between citizens but also puts at risk the police who, in carrying out their work, try to enforce the government's regulations with inadequate precautionary measures and insufficient protection.On April 25, 1300 positive cases and 11 deaths from COVID-19 were reported in police officers nationwide. On May 6, the number of infections in this group amounts to 4098 and 82 deaths, and the figures continue to grow. 2 These

COVID-19 Pandemic and Death Anxiety in Security Forces in Spain

“…The present study has shown that 87.8% say that the absence of PPE increased the level of stress and anxiety during the first wave of the pandemic. Not surprisingly, the number of professionals affected in one way or another rose rapidly because of this lack of protection, as was also the case in other countries such as Peru [ 58 ].…”

COVID-19 y salud mental en policías peruanos: resultados preliminares

“…Lamentablemente, realizan su trabajo con recursos limitados y se exponen a un mayor riesgo de contagio de la enfermedad, lo cual conlleva a un incremento de la carga laboral y el estrés [4] . Además, el número de casos confirmados y muertes de policías a causa de la COVID-19 supera a cualquier otro grupo profesional en el Perú y el mundo que se encuentre en la primera línea de trabajo [5] . En estas condiciones, la salud mental del personal policial es un problema de salud pública que requiere ser atendido.…”

The Effects of COVID-19 on the Mental Health of the Peruvian Police and Armed Forces

“…High demand of work to keep the public safe, risk of COVID-19 infection, and scare resources are factors that also have consequences on the psychological wellbeing of individuals working in the law enforcement field -this is the current situation in Peru [3]. The official number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in this population has exceeded any other professional group in similar line of work (first respondents) in Peru and around the world [4]. Maintaining the mental wellbeing of Peruvian army and police officers became a public health concern requiring immediate attention.…”

“…Current studies have been examining the effects of COVID-19 among those diagnosed with the illness and their close family members and friends; individuals with pre-existing mental health disorders and their vulnerability to biological and psychosocial stressors; the risks posed by the overexposure to the news; and the hazards in the healthcare field [2]. Interestingly, little attention has been given to the mental health of a group considered an essential category, police officers and the members of the armed forces [3,4].…”